Thomas Hyde

DELMAR - Thomas M. Hyde, 79, died on Friday, November 26, 2010 at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Born in Mattoon, Illinois, Tom was a graduate of the University of Illinois where he played in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1950 with University of Illinois marching band. Tom's lifelong love of music led him to teach in Illinois public schools and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk. Tom was the owner and operator of Van Curler Music Co. in Albany and was a professional musician for over 50 years, playing at various public and private occasions. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War Era, Tom played in the Army Recruiting Band and for Arlene Francis and the Ed Sullivan Show. He was also a member of the Musicians Union, Local #14. Tom was a longtime member of the Delmar Kiwanis Club, serving as secretary, president and lieutenant governor. He was a member of the Delmar Presbyterian Church where he served as elder and founded the Bells of Praise. Tom was a 32nd degree mason with the Bethlehem Lodge #85, F. & A.M. and was a volunteer for the Town of Bethlehem STARS program. Survivors include his wife, Joan Hyde; daughter, Julie Pooler, her husband Rick Pooler and their children Kyle and Alex, of Manlius, NY; son, Drew Hyde, his wife, Mary Wilson-Hyde and their children Christopher and Gregory, of Delmar; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jan and Gene Febus of Medina, Ohio and their family. Tom's passions in life were his music and his family, especially his grandchildren whom he adored. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 3rd from 4 to 8 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. Members of Bethlehem Lodge #85, F. &A. M. are requested to meet at the funeral home at 7 pm. A memorial service will be held at the Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., on Saturday, December 4th at 11:00 am followed by a reception in the church's fellowship hall. Contributions in Tom's memory may be made to the Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054.