Melford Thompson Mann Jr. "Tom"

Tom Mann (80) of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023 surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Raleigh to Joyce Ferree Luck Mann and Melford Thompson Mann, Sr. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his sister Diana Arney. Tom is survived by his wife Ilse Wells Mann, his daughters Lauren Mann (Michael Ali) of Raleigh and Merrill Mann (Michael Krois) of Edwards, Colorado, his son Mark Mann (Tara) of Westminster, Colorado, his sister Maureen Albert (Bill) of Eureka, Missouri, and his beloved grandchildren — Parker and Beckett Ali, Tilden Krois, Thompson and Mariette Mann. Tom is also survived by his treasured nieces, his many cousins, a widespread circle of friends, and innumerable piano students.

At the age of six, Tom and his family moved to their home on Reidsville Road, near Winston-Salem. Tom attended the Walkertown schools and was very devoted to the lifelong friends in this community. After hearing a concert by Artur Rubenstein, Tom saved all of his money for a piano. Tom was a piano prodigy; he studied with Hans Heidemann and Daniel Ericourt at Salem College and later with Jeno Takacs at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati where he earned a BM and MM in Piano performance and a BS in Music Education. It was at the Conservatory in Cincinnati where Tom and Ilse met.

After graduation Tom taught in two Winston-Salem elementary schools and then the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Tom and Ilse were married on August 7, 1971 in Delaware, Ohio. In 1973 they moved to Raleigh to teach private lessons to generations of treasured students. Tom was also the organist for the Ernest Wyatt Presbyterian Church, a Board member of the Lucy Daniels Foundation and of the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild, and was a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Volunteerism for his work with special needs children at J. W. York Elementary School.

Above all, Tom was most proud of his children and grandchildren and found loving them to be the essence of his life. Tom had an intense love of life; he had an extensive repertoire of piano music that he played on his Steinway. He composed music, wrote stories and poems, had a passion for gardening, and seemed to have endless curiosity about everything. He loved to joke, to wear crazy hats, to do the unexpected. As a cook he was a blend of Julia Child and the Swedish Chef from the Muppets and could create amazing and unique dishes. Tom had a charismatic presence and never met a stranger. For twenty-five years he bravely fought the challenges of living with Parkinson’s Disease; on June 30th PD won. Now Tom lives on in the memories of all the people whose lives he touched.

Tom and his family are most appreciative of all those who helped him medically and personally throughout his struggles with PD. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 in the Raleigh Room of the Sertoma Arts Center (1400 W. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh) from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with a sharing of memories beginning at 3:00. Those attending are encouraged to wear crazy hats in the spirit of Tom’s sense of fun and to share their personal stories about Tom.

Please contact Ilse Mann at 919-637-1082 or [email protected] for additional information or to RSVP. If you would like to honor Tom with a memorial, the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice, to Transitions Life Care (250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607), or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741) in lieu of flowers.