Ghost of Midnight

Best of FPF: Remembered by Friends

Becky posted an appeal for support in the Greensboro Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“A granite bench in memory of Tom Hurst is being readied for August 2025 installation on the Greensboro Historical Society front lawn. Your support is greatly appreciated. Tom is remembered by many as our friend, storekeeper, firefighter, historian, UCC minister of faith, and dedicated community steward. Growing up in Greensboro, he worked at the store and became a fourth-generation Willey’s storekeeper.

Tom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000. He persevered with courage and good humor, and in 2016, Merrill and he moved to Trumansburg, NY, to be near their daughter Emily and family. Tom died in November 2024 of complications from a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Tom walked around Caspian Lake over 600 times in his Parkinson’s journey. Many of us remember times he stopped to say hello, and on finding himself temporarily “frozen,” he asked for a small “kick” at the back of his boot to help restart his walk, and with a smile and a wave, he’d be on his way.

Tom famously showed up at meetings with a generous cache of his just-baked chocolate chip cookies, enjoyed by all.

The reverse side of the bench will read: “Remembered by friends – 2025.”