Event

Tom Chase

Ira Thomas 'Tom' CHASE Age 86, died December 20, 2005 in Kirkland, WA. Tom, a.k.a. 'The Oldest Living Thing' was a founding member of the Seattle Seafair Pirates, who adored playing the flute, charming and terrifying the crowds, and squeezing the most out of life that it had to offer. He was born in Albany, New York in 1919 to wonderful parents and was blessed with a love of music from the start. He studied under the first flutist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and played with many top musicians over the course of his life. In 1941, while working at a radio station in Washington D.C., he met the girl who would steal his heart. They had been cast as 'leads' in a new radio soap opera and were both on their way to capturing a dream. But then the war broke out, and the show was slashed, with air-time devoted to progress in the war. But destiny was still kind. He married his "star," Alice Benn, and son Michael Sidney was born in 1943. Three more bundles of joy would follow; Pamela, Christine, and Robin. The couple moved to Seattle in 1947 to be closer to Alice's sister Kay, and soon bought a home with the help of the G.I. Bill. "Home" eventually became a beach house on the shores of Lake Washington on Juanita Bay, a place that has become the hub of all family celebrations since 1960. Having worked for many radio and television stations, Tom was a member of the Washington State Press Club, which created the Seattle Seafair Pirates (now you know who to blame). In a recent speech, Tom told his children that he based his life on two goals; to make people happy by entertaining them with his music, and to make people laugh. Tom's laughter and infectious joie de vive is something we, his family and friends, will all remember and try to emulate throughout our lives. Tom hated to miss a party, even his own funeral - so in 2004 he ordered his family and friends to turn their annual summer beach-bash into a "Pre-Wake," including memorial speakers, a band, impromptu tributes and a bag pipe. The only thing he loved more than a party was a party in his own honor. But Tom was also a man with strong principles he wanted to pass down. His daughter Chris remembers vividly standing near a young African-American boy at a parade and having her Seafair Pirate father step in and protect the boy from cruel words of racial prejudice. He hated prejudice in all its forms, and believed in his heart that love could conquer all. An avid sports fan, he also believed strongly in the power of athletics and sportsmanship to unite the world and all its peoples. In the end, life refused to give up on Tom. He survived car accidents. He survived lung cancer. He was about to become the first in history to survive emphysema. He actually had to "will" himself to die. The song '/ Did it My Way' played in his room throughout the last two days of his life. And he wishes to also be remembered by the tune, 'What Do You Do With a Drunken Pirate?' Tom Chase is survived by his son Mike and daughters Pam, Chris and Robin - and their spouses. He has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren - including the newest member (and finally someone to carry the Chase name forward!) Jacob Thomas Chase. His wish is to have his ashes scattered along his favorite boating route on Lake Washington. Let the party begin in heaven, the flute player has arrived. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Group Health Hospice, which was wonderful and sensitive beyond the call of duty. Arrangements by Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Funeral Home, Lynnwood, WA.

Published in print on 12/24/2005.


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