Fitting farewell for Stompin’ Tom

Iconic singer remembered with songs & stories.
Fans of Tom Charles Connors packed Peterborough’s Memorial Centre Wednesday evening to pay respects to the singer from New Brunswick who made songs out of the lives of average Canadians.

He chose that city for his public memorial because it was there on Canada Day 1967 that he earned the nickname ”Stompin’ Tom”, because of his habit of tapping his boot as he sang.

Over 40 entertainers had vied for a chance to be part of the evening.

In the end, Stompin’ Tom chose a lineup of artists he had performed with, including J.P. Cormier, Dave Gunning, Sylvia Tyson and Dave Bidini.

The only newcomer was Mike Plume, whose new song So Long Stompin’ Tom was a hit at the recent East Coast Music Awards.

Connors’ son, Tom Jr., said ”We’re giving him the best send-off we possibly can, because he did everything for us”, before sends fans home with a rousing edition of Stompin’ Tom singing ”Sudbury Saturday Night”.

Our Sean Cowan was at the service: