Tom Ferry (Old Has Been) Has Passed

Tom Preferred to Keep His Condition Private.

I, along with $Bill & several others, knew of Tom's condition for several months but he preferred to keep it private. Knowing you are going to die has to be a horrific thing. Below are a couple of messages we sent to each other over the past month. Even when he knew things were looking bleak, he still wanted to remain to himself. I respected that. Tom, would also call me or message from time to time still always being the hustler. He would make suggestions on who I should try to match up with who or wanting info on how good a young & up-n-coming player really played.


3-1-06
No - In a race to 11 - The Myeloma Cancer is winning 9 - 3. – Tom

3-13-06
Quote:
Originally Posted by watchez
Hey Tom,
Good seeing you @The Break. You know after Andy came up to me one time Saturday & asked me if I knew of your condition it got me thinking. Not too many people talk about it because it is something they are uncomfortable with and I dont think a lot of others even know. I know we arent great How would you feel about me posting about your condition with the Myeloma Cancer on AZBilliards? A lot of people would appreciate the chance to give you a 'shout out' or comment, I am sure. They love your knowledge & stories. I have been around death my whole life (my mother died when I was 1 1/2 yrs old, my father when I was 20) and I would love the chance to say some things I missed or never said.
I will respect whatever your decision is on this.
Take care,
Watchez


Watchez - I really appriciate your thoughts and comments. All the people I spoke to this weekend, helped me much more then enlightening them. It is becoming more obvious In person. It is great thrapy for me to speak of what is going on instead of keeping it inside.
I allready have the announcment (That will be made by $$Bill (hemicuda). He is the one who introduced me to thr forums.

I DO APPRICIATEY YOUR OFFER - BUT (AT THIS TIME), I WOULD MUCH RATHER KEEP IT LOCAL AND KINDA PRIVATE.

THANKS AGAIN, TOM
 
Tom was always supportive and helping me while getting my products off the ground. I will miss his phone calls, emails and most definatly his posts right here on AZB.

Thanks for everything Tom.

Pete

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I met Tom at DCC also this past Jan. Although we didn't talk all that much, I was left with a positive impression of him. You get an impression of people on the boards and sometimes it's not even close when you meet them. I reall enjoyed his road stories just as everyone else here. RIP Tom.

$Bill. If there's a way for you to contact his family, please let them know about this thread. In times like these, it sometimes helps to know how much he will be missed by all of us here. Sam
 
I arrived at the DCC too late and did not get a chance to meet him. His posts will certainly be missed. My condolences to his family.
 
I am deeply saddened

Another loss in a great community. Once again, life has been changed permanently. Tom has enriched my life just on this forum. I send my condolences to his family and friends. If there is anything I can do, please PM me. I would like to send flowers or give to OHBs' charity of choice.
Purdman:(
 
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I was able to talk to Tom Ferry for a few minutes at DCC this past Jan and he seemed very happy to answer the questions I had he will be missed.

My condolences to his family and friends.

bora
 
I feel so sad...

My condolences to the family and friends of OHB. I've enjoyed reading his posts which were always interesting and displayed a man of character and style. He seemed like a man I would like to know and spend some time with talking pool and whatever.

And he really won me over when he posted the pic of him and his dog on the motorbike...a pic that I think he said was taken by his grandchildren. May he rest in peace.
 
Tom Ferry will always be one of AzBilliards' finest posters. I very much enjoyed reading his tales from times gone by, admiring the pride he had in raising his wonderful family. His passion for pool was evident in each one of his posts.

I am deeply saddened by this news. My heart goes out to Tom Ferry's family and friends.

JAM
 
sorry to hear

Never met tom but read alot of his posts on this board and others and he always seemed to know what he was talking about. My condolences to his family, he will be missed by us all
 
Oh man, I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of my friend Tom. I didn't know he was ill and just can't believe he's gone. I last spoke to him about a year ago at The Break while we were sweating a big time one hole session. He was laughing and talking about his kids, the matchup, and food. Same old Tom.

We first met and played each other at the Cue and Cushion in the late eighties when his kids were real young. After we got to know each other a little bit I discovered two things about the man: he loved to talk about his family and he could flat shoot some pool. After a while, I even got to hit a few with his prized Balabushka.

I no longer live in the StL area, but when I would visit the city on business, the first thing out of his mouth when we saw each other would be "How's the wife and kids?"

Tom, may you rest in peace and God bless your family and friends.

-Ron
 
How very sad. OldHasBeen was one of the truly colorful posters on this board and one of my personal favorites. I am disheartened to learn that I will never have the pleasure of meeting him, but I'm glad to have enjoyed his company here on the forum.

My condolences to his family and friends.
 
Tom "Not Such A Has Been" Ferry

When Tom started talking on here about the AZ Room at Derby City, I though, what a great idea. So I sent him a PM and offered my support. He told me we knew each other, but truthfully, I didn't remember him

Then I saw him in Lousiville and he was quite familiar to me. We had been to so many action places at the same time. Places like Johnson City, St. louis, Dayton etc. We had seen each other many times down thru the years, but didn't really know each other.

I knew he could play One Pocket tho. He was a player, not a faker. Tom was another old rounder like me, getting around and getting in action wherever pool was played. I'm so glad he made it to Derby City this year. I enjoyed visiting with him and shooting the shit about players from long ago. No one else knew little Tom "The Bomb" Fisher, now a top money poker player.

Or Vernon Elliott, who steered St. Louis Suts around, only the biggest gambler there was in the 60's and early 70's. And Vernon was a high speed hustler back then, one of the best. And of course, we shared stories about Louie, one of the most unique players ever.

I'm glad I had a chance to visit with him and that Tom had a chance to hang out with all the guys who were there. I saw him in there every day, and he truly was having a good time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And finally, I think it's just temendous that so many people have come on here to offer their condolences. Makes me feel good about AZ and the people who are here. Tom had a life well lived and he touched a lot of people. Can't do too much better than that.

RIP Tom Ferry.
 
Hal said:
I arrived at the DCC too late and did not get a chance to meet him.
Same for me, he was one I was really looking forward to seeing there too. We had exchanged quite a few PM's before DCC, mostly a lot of my hair-brained ideas. He told me he wanted nothing to do at the DCC that would obligate him, such as room monitor. I understood his point, but now I think I understand it even better. I missed meeting him at DCC by one day and it truly was my loss. :(

Tracy
 
I will surely miss ol' Tom's posts. Please include my condolences to his Family.
 
What a sad shock. :( I only knew OHB through this board, but it's like losing an acquaintance. He was someone I always enjoyed "bumping into" whenever he posted. They were all interesting posts and really spiced up azb.

That's a great picture of him and his dog! A nice bon voyage photo.

Deep condolences for his friends and family.
--Steve
 
I don't know what to say except that this news has come from out of the blue. He was a wealth of infomation that just told it like it was...he will be truely be missed.
 
I never had the pleasure of meeting OHB but I enjoyed reading his posts. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace OHB.
 
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