Thomas Hazleton September 27, 1942 ~ March 13, 2006 OCEANSIDE, CA -
Thomas Hazleton, 63, former resident of Pacific Grove, died on March 13, 2006 in Oceanside, California. He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie, sons Geoffrey, Christopher and Nicholas, sister Capt. Nancy A. Hazleton (USPHS, ret.), aunts Mrs. Claire Pelich and Mrs. Eleanor Babcock and many cousins. His parents, George T. Hazleton and Verna M. Hazleton, preceded him in death.
Tom was born at the Monterey Hospital on September 27, 1942.
He studied piano with Robert Forbes of Carmel. He began playing the pipe organ at the Methodist Church when he was 13 years old and was staff organist at the Carmel Presbyterian Church, and organist and choir director at St. Mary's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
Tom graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1960. He attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco State University, and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.
Tom enjoyed a world-wide reputation as a peerless classical pipe organist and theatre organist. He was named Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society and was also a Fellow of the Society.
Tom performed on most major classical and theatre organs, including Grace Cathedral, Balboa Park, Crystal Cathedral, Wanamaker's, Riverside Church, St. John the Divine, Radio City Music Hall, Washington National Cathedral and Notre Dame de Paris.
He recorded over 60 LPs, cassettes and CDs.
There will be a Requiem Mass at 3:00 PM on April 8, 2006 at All Saints' Episcopal Church, San Diego.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the All Saints' Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 625 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego, California 92103.
Burial will be at Mission Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Published in the Monterey Herald on 3/24/2006.