Thomas D. "Tommy" (Tillack) Claire, 71, Jazz Musician and Vocalist

He was born July 19, 1934 in Lorain and had resided in Westlake for the last 17 years.

Tommy graduated from Lorain High School and served with the US Navy during the Korean War.

Tommy was an accomplished pianist and vocalist with his jazz group The Tommy Claire Trio & Friends. They played many Cleveland jazz clubs such as The Silver Thorn, The Continental, Sammy’s and the Theatrical Grill. He also played in many clubs throughout the United States in Las Vegas, North Dakota and Florida and played locally in Vermilion and Huron.

Tommy also worked as an auditor with the Cuyahoga County auditor’s office for 10 years. During the 1950’s Tommy boxed and was a Golden Gloves Champion. He raced stock cars and owned and operated the Lakeside Roofing Company for many years. He refinished furniture, enjoyed painting, woodcarving, stamp collecting, coin collecting, billiards and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years Sharron (nee Barnes) of Westlake, daughters Laura Tillack of Lorain and Lisa Hart of Sheffield Lake, son Thomas C. Tillack of Russia, stepson Michael Broucksou of Cave Creek, Arizona, stepdaughter Jeri Ennis of Chatham, New Jersey, stepson Todd Broucksou of Clearmont, Florida, 14 grandchildren, brothers Lawerence E. Tillack and his wife Karen of Sheffield Village and Timothy A. Tillack and his wife Joyce of Lorain and his first wife Louise Tillack (nee Saxon). He was preceded in death by his parents Claire & Alyce Tillack (nee Knipper) and brothers James Tillack in 1951 and William Tillack in 2001.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at Gluvna Shimo Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Dr. Linwood H. Chamberlain, pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of Lorain.

Please make donations to:
American Cancer Society, 43099 N. Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH. 44035