Thomas Mingoia Obituary

I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I took guitar lessons from him way back in 1974, at Musical Discount Center in Garwood, NJ. Always happy to teach a new song or a bit of music theory. My condolences.

Tom taught me guitar for 14 years and was the coolest man I ever knew. I was «Thyis Jamie Garrett». I just began the process of experimenting with stage names. Tom was encouraging for my eccentricities and, in a culture so devoid of culture there, he helped me survive. He bought my motorcycle, a Honda V-Magna 500. He sold me many guitars for a good price. What a fabulous friend and great musician he was! I still have some notebooks in his handwriting. Chord charts. I met his son when his son was four years old. I made him a glitter poster once to celebrate music with him.
Tom knew I didn´t «get it» about music but, he kept on trying. That was Tom. 66 on a Friday. Ah man, too young dude! Much too young. To the son who I only knew as a little boy, you had a great dad!! Hey, your dad taught me a song once called Malagueña and when I retire, that´s the beach I´ll be living near in Málaga Spain. I think about that lesson all the time.

I was a student of Tom's many years ago. I am grateful for that time. I looked forward to my guitar lessons. Many other positive lessons came from those hours! Prayers for the family. Thank you, Tom.

I was a student of Toms for over nine years! One hour a week he was a real friend. My prayers to his wife Anne and son Joe.

Tom helped me so much with the guitar back in the 70's. I still draw on the near 2 yrs of lessons. I was lucky to have met him. Rest in Peace Tom.

My family and I were very saddened by the news. Tom taught music to our two oldest children and we are thankful for the time they had with him. He was very kind and very special to us and our children absolutely adored him. I looked forward to seeing him on lesson days and he was always positive and gave our children confidence. Thanks for everything Tom. Our thoughts are with your family. We will miss you dearly

I started taking lessons from Tom when i was 16. His influence on my life is beyond what I can express. Your teenage years are dark times, but Tom never talked down to me and always lifted me up and challenged me to work on my craft. I never became the guitarist that Tom was, but my love for music and the connection with it that he helped me attain led me to a career in radio that I still enjoy to this day as on air host. I'm able to connect not only with my listener, but with the artists I present because of Tom and our time together. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I know how much he loved being able to work from home and how proud he was of his boy. You know this day will come eventually, but no matter how much life I get under my belt it hurts just as deeply every time I lose someone who meant to me what Tom did. Thank you for sharing him with me. God bless you during this time. -mary kathryn

For Tom and Family.

Will miss you Tom. Many condolences to wife Ann and all the family.I am very shocked that you are no longer with us.

So sorry to hear that Tom passed away. Our family will miss him.

Sorry for your loss. May the GOD of all comfort be with the family at this time of sorrow.

I just ran into my friend Tom a couple of weeks ago. A long talk with him alway`s made me smile. The angel band just got another star. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Anne , Joseph and Family
I knew Tom for 34 years. As time went on, i considered him to be my best friend.
Our friendship went through ups and downs as any REAL friendship.
We were like brothers in the real sense.
Even, when we would fight and argue. , I always let him know I loved him.
I wish I had that chance again.
I am in Florida for now, but Tom was my connection to Charleston.
My thoughts are with you
Pete

Dear Mingoia family,
Heaven truly gained another angel. I have so many memories of times spent with all of your family. I know that Tommy is now at peace in the arms of those that have gone on before. There are no words that can truly ease your pain at this time, but no that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May Tommy's memory be eternal. Love to you all.
Ann Bennett

Tom was one of the closest person to me on this planet . He truly was my brother
There is a huge void without him on this planet.
RIP My very best friend.

With family in town for the Memorial Day weekend, Tom's passing reminded me how precious and fragile life is, and that nothing should be taken for granted. I regret that I did not have, or take more opportunities to jam and hang with Tom than I did, but it did not take many sessions at all to learn about, and from him, and appreciate the person and musician Mike G. has alteady eloquently described. Thank you, Tom, and I hope I get to catch up and jam with you some more somewhere on the other side.

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Mingoia. He taught me how to play the guitar when I was a senior in high school back '89 -'90. He made it fun, and easy to learn. I don't play that much anymore, but whenever I pick up a guitar, the fundamentals I have been taught still remain.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I'll be strumming in his memory the next time a guitar gets placed in my hands. May he rest in peace.

Our condolences to the family. Tom taught my son the last seven years. I enjoyed speaking with him and appreciate all the wisdom he imparted on my son. He was one of my favorite people I have ever met and his legacy will live on in his students and all those who came to know him. I am so grateful he was in our lives these past seven years. We should all be so luckt to have a legacy as great as his. Rest well my friend.

I'm very sorry to hear about Tom. May he rest in peace.

Our Deepest Sympathy. I am so Blessed and thankful that I had the privilege to play with Tom. I will truly miss that contagious smile. Tom was always encouraging and had a positive impact on so many lives..

Kathy and I are with you in our prayers. May Tom Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Annette and Joe. Tom was an amazing man and will truly be missed. A light that always shined.

Sorry for your loss. May the GOD of all Comfort be with the family at this time of sorrow.

A true gentleman and wonderful musician. I always enjoyed playing with Tom. I'll miss his perpetual smile and kind words of encouragement.

Tom was a great teacher,person and friend. I love talking to him after a lesson we would talk about music and life.My son I and will miss greatly.

Mr. Tom was one of my most favorite people in the world. He made music so fun and interesting. He has taught me so many lessons in not just music, but life. He was so easy to talk to and so like able. He made my five years learning from him a blast. He was always considered family. He was an amazing teacher and friend.

Candy, my heart goes out to you and your family.I have heard stories of Tommys teaching and know he will be missed by many.My prayers go out to your family.

Candy and Family, Tom must have been a wonderful man. The many testaments here make me wish I had known him too. I am so sorry for this sad and sudden loss.

Tom was a great friend and mentor. He will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Candy, so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family.

Tom was a wonderful guy. A true friend. He embodied all the greatest traits of a great person. Honesty, integrity, character, and a great sense of humor. A great person to talk with. We would talk for hours. Shared lots of laughs. I was blessed to be the drummer in a band with him. Tom was a wonderful musician. Solid. A phenomenal guitarist, yet very humble. He truly loved all kinds of music and loved playing with the band. And we loved performing with him. His enthusiasm was infectious. His guitar playing was the heart of the band. Tom played beautifully, a musical perfection that came from a deep love of music and many, many, years of playing. Not one to seek glory, Tom would perform on stage standing in the background, and would single others out for praise. At the end of a song we would look to Tom to get his smile of approval, which he readily gave. Words cannot express how much we loved and will miss Tom.
My condolences go out to Tom's family and friends.

Tom was so nice, a great teacher, I enjoyed every minute I was around him.

Sending my prayers.

Candy im am so sorry to hear about your brother. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. ❤