Rest in Peace Tom Pugh - founder of Given to Live

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  • Suziemay
    Suziemay Posts: 11,168
    edited April 2024
    I’m so heartbroken to hear this. He was such a good soul. I met Tom at the Oakland 2013 show; a bunch of us showed up “early” to queue for the rail (haha back then morning of was good enough). There was a car queue and a BART queue. Tom was one of the good people who facilitated a peaceful merging of queues. I remember a young woman who was one of the first in line got robbed, all her money and passport stolen, and Tom helped to calm her down and figure out what to do. It was also through Tom’s good work with Given To Live that I had to good fortune of meeting the Swansons @stina1118. I hope he feels the love, wherever he may be. Rest In Power ❤️

    Oakland 2013:


  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,800
    stina1118 said:
    It’s been quite sometime since I’ve posted in here. I wish it was to complain about the merch line, not to say good-bye to a friend. And not just any friend… A friend I will hold in my heart forever. And a friendship that began right here in the PJ forums. 

    Dave and Tom through Given to Live; gifted me, my son Joshua and my husband Josh the most amazing memories any Pearl Jam fan could ever ask for. As corny as it sounds, my heart still feels like I can burst any time I think about it.

    I’m still trying to process this, we’re heartbroken. These lyrics really hit home today. 

    And wherever you've gone
    And wherever we might go
    It don't seem fair
    Today just disappeared
    Your lights reflected now
    Reflected from a far
    We were but stones
    Your light made us stars

    Thank you Tom. Rest in peace.

     Love, The Swansons. 


    This was really nice, thanks for sharing.  That was such a beautiful thing for Tom, Dave, and everyone else to do.  
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • stina1118
    stina1118 Illinois Posts: 152
    @En La Clandestinidad Thank you for asking about Joshua. He’s doing well! Just celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday.

    @Suziemay One of Tom’s gifts was the ability to bring people together. Our GTL experience was amazing for so many reasons. But…the people Tom brought into our life (like you), still mean so much to us.

    Thats the true power of GTL. It’s not just a concert experience. For us, it was about feeling acceptance and connecting with people in a special way. Tom had a gift for that and his legacy will live on through those connections. 
  • Niko80
    Niko80 Posts: 1,613
    It was an honor meeting you on your journey, Tom. 
    Rest in peace. 
    I will swallow poison
  • simkin7074
    simkin7074 Posts: 249
    Thank you for the beautiful post, Paul.  Tom was a true friend and one that I’m having trouble finding the words to pay tribute to.  I didn’t meet Tom until after the start of GTL, specifically after Joshua’s show in Philly.  In fact I actually met him for the first time in the airport in Cincinnati - I was on my way to Louisville to meet friends for Bourbon and Beyond and he was picking up someone for GTL to take them to the show.  I recognized him and was nervous to approach him but by the end of our short chat it felt like we were old friends.  I was able to help fundraise for GTL and being involved with them was truly life changing.  I was on hand for two of the shows they gifted - for Steph at Fenway and Reece at Oakland - and seeing how much joy he brought into others lives was truly amazing.  He truly had the most compassion of anyone I’ve ever met.  When Tom created GTL he used the slogan Because You Matter, and he gave every one of the people gifted a show a true magical experience so that no matter what they were going through, they could feel like a rock star and experience the power of a live show.  But at the end of the day it was really Tom that mattered most of all, because his passion brought that to life and lit up everyone around him.  I am fortunate to have called him my friend and i admire him tremendously.  It hurts knowing that I won’t get to tell him but it’s comforting seeing all the wonderful stories about him being shared by people whose lives he touched.  His legacy will live on through all the lives he touched in his all too short time with us.  I will always treasure the memories of the times we shared and I already miss him tremendously.  My heart breaks for Ewa - sending love and light to her most of all but to all of Tom’s friends and family.  Rest in peace my friend…


  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,211
    simkin7074 said:
    Thank you for the beautiful post, Paul.  Tom was a true friend and one that I’m having trouble finding the words to pay tribute to.  I didn’t meet Tom until after the start of GTL, specifically after Joshua’s show in Philly.  In fact I actually met him for the first time in the airport in Cincinnati - I was on my way to Louisville to meet friends for Bourbon and Beyond and he was picking up someone for GTL to take them to the show.  I recognized him and was nervous to approach him but by the end of our short chat it felt like we were old friends.  I was able to help fundraise for GTL and being involved with them was truly life changing.  I was on hand for two of the shows they gifted - for Steph at Fenway and Reece at Oakland - and seeing how much joy he brought into others lives was truly amazing.  He truly had the most compassion of anyone I’ve ever met.  When Tom created GTL he used the slogan Because You Matter, and he gave every one of the people gifted a show a true magical experience so that no matter what they were going through, they could feel like a rock star and experience the power of a live show.  But at the end of the day it was really Tom that mattered most of all, because his passion brought that to life and lit up everyone around him.  I am fortunate to have called him my friend and i admire him tremendously.  It hurts knowing that I won’t get to tell him but it’s comforting seeing all the wonderful stories about him being shared by people whose lives he touched.  His legacy will live on through all the lives he touched in his all too short time with us.  I will always treasure the memories of the times we shared and I already miss him tremendously.  My heart breaks for Ewa - sending love and light to her most of all but to all of Tom’s friends and family.  Rest in peace my friend…


    Love this post so much.

    He really would be so touched by the amount of people who had so much love for him, Tom seemed unable to see how important he was, he couldn't fully grasp or accept how wonderful he was. There was always that self doubt and that fragility. He was just such a modest man, and I just wish he could see now the difference he made through the kindness of his heart. They broke the mould when they made him and as a result the pain left in his wake is ten fold - you know? that in itself is testament to the man he was. A legend. 
  • rw160510
    rw160510 Posts: 1,072
    Sorry to hear this, it sounds like he was a great guy who will be sorely missed. 
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 17,869
    Nice to see Tom mentioned in the April newsletter.
    Classy move by PJ/10C.
    This weekend we rock Portland
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,173
    Poncier said:
    Nice to see Tom mentioned in the April newsletter.
    Classy move by PJ/10C.
    I have tears and chills seeing him being honored in the newsletter. Thank you PJ/10c for doing that. Tom, your light made us stars....
    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • lastexitlondon
    lastexitlondon Posts: 14,876
    Classy 10c . Well done 


    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • simkin7074
    simkin7074 Posts: 249
    Thank you PJ/10C for honoring Tom in the newsletter.  The true measure of a life well lived is leaving the world a better place than you found it and Tom was that and more.  I’m not crying - you’re crying…
  • stina1118
    stina1118 Illinois Posts: 152
    elwayvedder said:
    Poncier said:
    Nice to see Tom mentioned in the April newsletter.
    Classy move by PJ/10C.
    I have tears and chills seeing him being honored in the newsletter. Thank you PJ/10c for doing that. Tom, your light made us stars....
    Seeing that just broke me. Still can’t believe he’s gone. 

    Thank you 10c/PJ. 
  • Coshie
    Coshie Port Fairy Posts: 288
    So sad to read this. 
    What a fine selfless gentleman who put so much into a great cause that lit the spirits of so many. 
    RIP T. 

    Melbourne - 1998-2003-2006-2009-2014-2024 
    Eddie Vedder Solo Melbourne - 2011-2014
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  • Pap
    Pap Serres, Greece Posts: 29,897
    Godspeed Tom
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1&2 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / New Orleans 2025
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,211
    Ewa and Tom’s loved ones are currently making the arrangements for his funeral. 

    Ewa is especially aware that Tom had friends right across the world and is conscious they may wish to pay their respects. They are working on providing a link for people to join online. I will look to provide that link here once the plans are finalised 
  • stina1118
    stina1118 Illinois Posts: 152
    pdalowsky said:
    Ewa and Tom’s loved ones are currently making the arrangements for his funeral. 

    Ewa is especially aware that Tom had friends right across the world and is conscious they may wish to pay their respects. They are working on providing a link for people to join online. I will look to provide that link here once the plans are finalised 
    Thank you for the update.
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,211
    Tom's funeral will take place on May 2nd in Bristol, if anyone wishes to attend to pay their respects please drop me a message and I can give you the details

    For those wishing to join us in spirit and by way of an online link, I will add that as soon as it is known
  • southernmanfan
    southernmanfan Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 1,029
    pdalowsky said:
    Tom's funeral will take place on May 2nd in Bristol, if anyone wishes to attend to pay their respects please drop me a message and I can give you the details

    For those wishing to join us in spirit and by way of an online link, I will add that as soon as it is known
    I am so so sorry to hear this! I was right up front with you guys in Manchester 2012 and right up close to Tom. That’s how I got to meet him. 

    My sincere and heartfelt condolences 💐 
    rustedsigns
  • lastexitlondon
    lastexitlondon Posts: 14,876
    pdalowsky said:
    Tom's funeral will take place on May 2nd in Bristol, if anyone wishes to attend to pay their respects please drop me a message and I can give you the details

    For those wishing to join us in spirit and by way of an online link, I will add that as soon as it is known
    What time will it be mate.?I spoke with ewa but I didn't talk about the funeral.


    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,211
    lastexitlondon said:
    pdalowsky said:
    Tom's funeral will take place on May 2nd in Bristol, if anyone wishes to attend to pay their respects please drop me a message and I can give you the details

    For those wishing to join us in spirit and by way of an online link, I will add that as soon as it is known
    What time will it be mate.?I spoke with ewa but I didn't talk about the funeral.
    Hi mate, its set for 1.45pm, are you heading over ?

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