Thomas Edward Booth

THOMAS EDWARD BOOTH SEPTEMBER 15,1949 - MAY 23, 2021 Tommy Booth was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Edna Mae Babcock and Thomas Edward Booth. He grew up fishing and hunting in the woods around the family farm in Wexford. Learning to draw with his mother seemed like magic to him and art became his vocation. As a young man, he won prizes, graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and prospered in Philadelphia. Over his lifetime, he had a successful gallery, painted billboards, thousands of signs, murals, houses, and fine paintings. Drafted in 1969 to the Army, Booth was a paratrooper in the 143rd Airborne and served in Pan Mun Jom, North Korea as a United Nations MP. Being a soldier transformed him. He was active with Veterans Against the Vietnam War in 1971. During his years in Philadelphia he met Jean Giordano and married in 1979. They became involved in housing equity in Northern Liberties and the art scene. In 1989 they left Philly to establish a life in Hawaii. Tom, Jean, and their children, Emily and Ben, put down deep roots, cultivated lasting friendships, and made art in Hana, Maui. He bequeathed Waioni Farm, Upper Nahiku, Maui, to his two children, Ben and Emily Booth. Booth began working with his partner, Shannon, part time in early 2000 on the mainland. A few years later he moved to North Beach, Port Townsend, where he displayed his sculptures and political satire. In 2016, he and Shannon went to Standing Rock to support Native water rights. Booth was dedicated to the belief, "We do not own the land; the land owns us." Locals and visitors alike enjoyed the humor of Booth's sculptures Uptown at Pierce and Lincoln in 2018 through the election in 2020. Tom married Carol Long in 2020. In April 2021, Tom was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. During his final days, many friends joined Tom and Carol to share food, songs, and talk story. Celebrations of Tom's life and memory will be private. Tom is survived by his children, Emily and Ben Booth; Carol Long, wife; brother Fred Booth, his wife, Suzie, and their children, Curtis and Laura Booth; sister Linda Booth Wloch and Gabe Wloch, nephews Stephen and David Webber. Angel Vargas Toyne and Ericeli Williams call him Grandfather.