Obituary of Thomas Joseph Gudavich

Thomas J. Gudavich, 65, of Providence, RI, passed away on October 14, 2020, at home after a year-long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Gadwah Gudavich. He was the son of the late John and Helen (Abbott) Gudavich. Besides his wife, he is survived by his siblings, Hazel (Frank) Furtado, John L. (Donna) Gudavich, and Elizabeth Pagliarini. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Tom was a graduate of LaSalle Academy and Rhode Island College. He was employed by the Glocester-Foster School Department. Tom was also a professional musician—a vocalist/drummer who spent many decades entertaining people with his powerful, soulful voice and funky drumming. He played in a variety of bands that performed in Rhode Island and around New England and the United States. He had a devoted, loving family, many close friends, and countless others who met him and were enchanted with his engaging personality. He had a great sense of humor. Tom spent his life keeping everyone happy, on and off stage. Tom enjoyed a fine cigar, even to the end, with all his cigar buddies with their wild, crazy nicknames. (He was Tommy Rockstar.) Tom had a special place in his heart for dogs. He had many dogs that he loved dearly. He sometimes visited dog pounds and offered to take abandoned dogs for walks, a sign of a truly special person with a great heart. One could say many good things about Tom, but words always fall short because there’s so much more to say and so little time. He lived a full life, gave more than he took, and will be sorely missed. Funeral services will be private. A celebration of his life will be planned at a future date after the Covid 19 problems are over. Arrangements by Supinski & Borrelli.