One of our own.... Tom , R.I.P.

[Guest guest]

I couldn't believe it when I saw it in the paper, no, I said, this must be some

other Tom , but, alas, we have lost a great fighter for the right way to

farm and for a joyous artisanal way to live. R.i.P. Tom ....Please go to

the website below and get to know Tom a little better....

Will Winter

Tom " Chuck Fred " |

, Tom " Chuck Fred " age 57, passed peacefully Mar. 21 of cancer. Born in

Columbus, GA, he came to Minneapolis in 1973 to attend the Minneapolis College

of Art and Design. He is survived by his wife, Conway ; his daughter,

Virginia Wolking; his grandson, Forrest; sisters, Tracey Mulvaney (Jim) &

Edith ; nieces, Maureen Mulvaney, Alyse Mulvaney, Brittany Clay & Maggie

Loveday. Preceded in death by his parents Virginia Doris &

Browning . As a community-building organizer and activist, Tom has

had a profound impact on a wide variety of people, local institutions,

neighborhoods and social and environmental causes. Tom was a masterful chef, an

artist, a longtime neighborhood and community leader in Northeast Minneapolis

and a strong advocate for local communities, family farms, healthy food and

sustainable agriculture. Tom lived a life that honored his values of justice,

friendship, art and really good food. A large network of cherished friends is

testimony of a life well lived. Tom met Conway at MCAD in the 1970s. Nearly

four decades later they married on June 13th, 2009. One year after that Tom was

diagnosed with cancer. Tom and traveled the road of his disease together.

Tom made a deep and lasting impact on countless numbers of people. His voice

will always be remembered, as will his presence, his kindness and his

irresistible invitation to join our own communities. www.almostbrilliant.com

Published in Star Tribune from March 23 to March 26, 2012