Friends may call from 4 until 8 today at the Braman and Son Memorial Chapel for Tom Belcher who passed away this week after a lengthy illness.
Tom was well known for his radio work at WKVI radio, but was also known for his singing, dancing, and acting.
Miss Sandy Martinkus was Tom’s dance teacher. She remembers him today.
“Well Tom first started tap dancing around ten years old, and what was so remarkable was how light he was on his feet. He later added musical theater dance, which includes acting and some singing and your Broadway style of jazz dancing. And whether he had a top hat and cane and was singing and dancing to “Singing in the Rain,” or was doing “New York, New York,” as a kick line with an all-girl backup, Tom always did a wonderful performance,” said Martinkus.
Martinkus also had the opportunity to work with Tom on high school musicals.
“I also had the pleasure of working with Tom on the high school musicals. Tom’s first musical was South Pacific, and I remember when he walked across the stage he just was loved by the audience, and later when he did “Music Man,” he played the main character’s sidekick doing a dance called Shipoopi that brought the house down,” said Martinkus.
His coach and teacher also remember him for more recent appearances.
“Later on, when he was older, he came back to dance for two years at part of my alumni and did some tap dancing. And I guess I would say the Tom I knew, he was a wonderful dancer, a great showman, and a very dear friend,” Martinkus said.
Besides the calling today at the funeral home, there will be a memorial service Saturday afternoon at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox at 2 p.m. He will be remembered at that service by two of his radio friends: Rich Wallen, and Rev. Ed Hasnerl. The public is also invited to attend.
