Kara, Mike and Laura,
I'm so sorry for your loss.  Your dad was a very energetic mentor who gave a lot of us a great start in professional life, just as he did you in your lives.  As I recall, you were frequently a topic of conversation or a casual comment - all in the best sense!  He clearly loved you deeply and got a big kick out of being your dad.

Lynda Morrison

Our deepest condolence to all of you and your families.  May peace be in your hearts.  Praying for all of you.

Ed Mitro, 
Rick Whiteman


I first met Tom Braciale in 1990 when we were both Professors at Washington University in St Louis. One of my students had just identified the functional regulatory T cells in thymus and lymph nodes that prevent autoimmune disease development. However, the finding of suppression contradicted the prevailing dogma of clonal deletion, and it was not popular as a tolerance mechanism in 1990. My student’s presentations were therefore repeatedly criticized by many individuals in the immunology group. An exception was Tom. I did not know Tom at the time, but he would stand up for the student and argue that we should look at her data rather than criticizing her. Fast forward to the summer of 1991. When I came to UVA to join the Pathology Department, I was surprised that Tom had also moved to UVA as the Director of Carter Center. We became fast friends having shared common experiences at Wash U. We spent even more time together after 2008 when I moved to the new MR6 building where our laboratories were adjacent to each other. There were many productive interactions between the students and postdoctoral fellows of my lab and those of Tom, Young, Jie, Erickson and Engelhard. In addition, I recall many occasions when I spent time with Tom in his dark office lit only by a single desk lamp. Tom spoke in my retirement in 2018, and I appreciated the nice and funny things he said about me. 
It is very sad that Tom is gone, but we will never forget him. 


It feels like it just happened yesterday. You would say 'Good morning' to me in Chinese, which means 'Good morning' in English. Every Friday, you would join our group meeting and afterwards, you would tell me that I could discuss any scientific research issues with you. You would ask me how my project was progressing, and you would encourage me, saying that I'm doing just fine. When I first heard this news, I was shocked and saddened, at a loss for what to do. Just a week ago, I was thinking about the next time you would join our meeting, and I wanted to take a photo with you. I still have that unsent draft email in my mailbox. Dr. Thomas Joseph Braciale Jr., thank you for your advice on my scientific research, and for your confidence and encouragement. I will miss you deeply. Rest in peace.


I was Tom’s, executive assistant, or sometimes affectionately called by my co-workers his “work wife” at the Carter Immunology Center for 18 years. Multiple years prior to me joining the CIC staff I was has travel agent. 
He was one of 3 people in my life that called me Shawnie. We had wonderful conversations about our families, our siblings, my daughter, his children, and our grandchildren. He had such pride when he talked about them and their families. He was also a great comfort to me after the loss of my brother in 2015, as I hope I was to him during the loss of his loved ones over the years.
We both had a penchant for old movies, I am talking about ones that debuted in the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s. If I had a dollar for every time, he accused me of trying to “gaslight him”, I would be a wealthy woman.
I am not a scientist, but I loved hearing him talk about science to me in laymen’s terms. He was so patient in answering any questions that I may have had.
Tom abhorred accolades, although he very much deserved them for being an exceptional scientist and a fantastic human being. 
He will be dearly missed by myself and many others.


Tom and his "peep"s celebrating his time as Director of Carter Immunology Center!  We will miss him terribly.

Tom was a wonderful colleague, a mentor, and eventually, a friend. My journey at UVA began in 2007 as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, working on neuroimmunology. Tom invited me to join the Carter Immunology Center. Later, he supported the creation of the neuroimmunology seminar series, partially under the center's umbrella. Tom epitomized the ideal scientific leader. He attended every seminar delivered by the trainees, invariably occupying a seat in the front row, always prepared with questions and insightful advice. He deeply cared for trainees and faculty associated with the center. As time went on, our professional relationship blossomed into a friendship. We shared personal and professional experiences (we even used the same personal trainer, whom we liked to hate – Tom was complaining about his knees and I about my neck, but we continued to train with him). Tom was always there to offer solid advice, extend his support, and deliver criticism when necessary. When I was contemplating a move to WashU, Tom provided important insights and guidance. Just before the move, which occurred amid the pandemic, Tom came to visit. We had a masked gathering, which was the last time we welcomed anyone into our C'Ville home. Post-move, I suggested a few times that we have a "virtual drink" over Zoom. He playfully responded that he hoped I had better things to do. Eventually, we did meet up on Zoom and I had the chance to visit Tom at his rehab home in Chile last year. He did not seem to feel very well, but that didn't stop him from joking around and discussing science with us, like in the old times. I planned to visit Tom again this past weekend when I was in C'Ville for my daughter's graduation, but on the way there last Friday, I was devastated to learn of Tom's passing. Many of us have lost a friend and mentor, the field of immunology has lost a giant, and UVA has lost one of its finest researchers. But Tom's legacy will live on. Rest in peace, my friend.

Tom was a wonderful colleague and I always enjoyed any opportunity to talk with him.  He was passionate about basic research and its importance in informing our understanding of human health and disease.  I feel fortunate to have served on a committee with Tom for many years because it provided an opportunity for me to get to know him better.   He was always a warm and  engaging presence with a welcome sense of humor.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to all the members of his family. Tom will indeed be missed.

I met Tom at The John Curtin School of Medicine at the Australian National University in 1977.  When he returned to the States, he offered me a job in his lab and then encouraged me to do my PhD, so I was one of his first students. I am so grateful for his support all those years ago. After graduating in 1984, I returned to Australia and thanks to Tom, had a wonderful career in Viral Immunology. I remember his enthusiasm and his passion for science.


Tom loved travel, new places, new foods and people!  We had some amazing adventures in India, Myanmar, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia.  We saw a lot, learned a lot and laughed a ton!  We loved teaching and learning and these trips were wonderful ways to share that passion.

When I was a professor at UVA (1994-2007), Tom invited me to become a member of the Beirne Carter Center for Immunology, which he led at the time. I was not an immunologist then, but he invited me anyway, although I studied neutrophils, a cell type many immunologists looked down on. He also invited me to serve as a faculty preceptor on the immunology training grant. This invitation meant a lot to me. He said: "Maybe you will become a real immunologist one day." Well, I did. 
Klaus Ley, M.D.
Co-Director, Immunology Center of Georgia (IMMCG)
GRA Bradley Turner Eminent Scholar Chair in Immunology
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta University


Tom hired me to UVA 29 years ago. I'll never forget the faith he had in me. He was always supportive, especially when I came to Pathology 15 years ago.  He always had a good word and he was someone I could always count on for wise counsel. 

I will miss him a lot. 

Michael Kidd
Department of Pathology
University of Virginia





It isn't often that you make really close friends at our ages and Tom (well, Thomaso) was so much more than just a scientific colleague and collaborator.  He was my opera buddy after for 20 years -- we made too numerous to count trips to Richmond or the Paramount for the opera, fighting incessantly over Wagner (he hated, I loved) and Händel (he loved and taught me to love).  His favorite opera was Don Giovanni and this picture was from our trip we did together to Santa Fe a few years back to hear SFO to hear this performed.  I miss him so much.  His memory will truly be a blessing -- zikhrono livrakha.  

Just a quick PS.  We also did the Messiah sing along together every year for over a decade although not sure what we did counted as "singing".  We always tried to sit in front of someone from the UVA glee club who actually could vaguely guide our intonation....

Please rest in peace in heaven. I am still grateful to you for teaching me a lot when I was unfamiliar with immunology. You always surprised me with your delightful and sparkling wisdom. Thank you for being my invaluable mentor and long-remembered teacher. Please rest in peace...

JUN

I am just devastated to hear of Tom's passing. Words simply cannot do justice to the influence and impact Tom had on me. I honestly could not have asked for a better mentor and friend during my time at UVA. Though I entered graduate school fully committed to studying tumor immunology in 2001, I was fortunate to spend my first graduate school rotation in Tom's lab, where I also became quite interested in anti-viral immunity. Tom and I clicked right away - I loved his passion for science, and we shared a sense of humor that made every day in the lab fun. Even after my rotation was complete, we shared plenty of witty banter up and down the halls of the Carter Center as I worked toward my Ph.D. over the next six years.  As luck would have it, my scientific journey at UVA came full circle when, after completing my Ph.D., I was blessed to rejoin Tom's lab as a postdoctoral fellow, spending two wonderful years in his lab. I'll never forget how Tom supported my academic and career interests, fostering my passion for both basic research as well as science education. Knowing that I ultimately hoped to become a professor at a smaller undergraduate institution, Tom supported opportunities for me to teach courses and mentor undergraduates in the lab while conducting my research, giving me the flexibility to balance multiple interests while working for him. He remained a steadfast supporter once I secured a faculty position at Hampden-Sydney College and was always happy to "talk shop" with me about my career. He continued to help me troubleshoot research problems over the years and opened his lab to me anytime I needed to use it.  Tom was not just a brilliant scientist - he was a wonderful person. Whether it was karaoke night, a poker game at his house, or an intense lab meeting, Tom always brought the room to life with his smile and laughter. I'll never forget all he did for me. I'll miss you greatly, Tom.

Tom was a cherished friend and colleague.  We travelled together to a meeting at the NIH about 10 years ago.  Tom had pointed out this meeting, on aging and hematopoiesis, and thought I might be interested.  It turned out to be fascinating and really helpful.  We had a great discussion driving home, with Tom really pushing me to think deeper about my own work.  Later, we commiserated when we had both undergone rather abrupt losses of younger family members: he provided such support to me on my daughter's death.  Finally, I visited him last September when he was in assisted living at Anthology.  Despite having been through a lot, he was in really good spirits and still eager to talk about science.  We had a great conversation, during which he received a call from a family member, which made him extremely happy.

I will really miss him a lot.

Adam Goldfarb
Department of Pathology
University of Virginia

Barbara, Mary, Jean, and Chris, When I was told about Tom‘s passing I was immediately transported back to the old neighborhood in South Philadelphia. Where has the time gone? In my mind’s eye, I can still see us playing baseball and football on Porter street. Although we lost touch so many years ago, Johnny Maria would always update me on how he was doing. Now he is at piece. As long as you all and I have those memories of him, and the legacy he has left behind, he will never really be gone. I will cherish those memories.  I wish nothing but the best for all of you and your families. RIP Tom. 
Eddie Sandoli 

My only Brother...a kind and loving and compassionate person who had the wisdom of Solomon and the kind heart of Jesus, Ruth and Boaz.  I will sorely miss the flowers he always sent to me for my Birthday, even when I told him not to do so. He did not listen but sent the loving flowers anyway.  He and I had our "to dos" (if anyone understands what that means) because I was the oldest and knew better -- ha, ha.  I love him and miss him, and he has no worries where his burial plot will be (inside joke).  Love you Tom and will miss you so very, very , very much.
Your Big Sister, Barb
 

So sad to hear this news, what a loss to the UVA and the Immunology community. Such a gentle giant 😢

I was deeply saddened by news of Tom's passing. I had kept in contact with him over the years, but not consistently because of  living across the country from each.  I met Tom when we both worked as cashiers at the Acme market in Philadelphia, We were both college students and our friendship kept us sane through the tumultuous days of the 1960's  and 70's.  Tom, like myself was a renaissance man who interests cut across the humanities and sciences  These subjects fueled many late night discussions as we tried to understand ourselves and what was happening around us  We later drifted apart as he migrated to Australia and I to the San Francisco Bay to attend graduate school.  

I remember visiting him in West Philly when he was attending University of Pennsylvania. This was prior to him going to Australia After that, I lost track of him until  I returned to Philly. There was hiatus in our friendship for about 20 years because of our  travels and relocations. However, we reconnected  around 2014 when I moved to Hawaii with my wife who had a management position there.  Tom attended a medical convention in Honolulu; we had a couple of great days together making a round of the sites, and enjoying the beautiful weather of the islands.

At the time Tom had moved to Charlottesville, Virginia  and  to take a prestigious  position at UV.   He kept up our friendship by phone and e-mail  up until the last weeks before his death.

Tom was a great and good man and was always available to listen  and help. He achieved a great deal considering his humble origins in South Philadelphia as he worked his way through graduate and medical schools  and achieve national attention for his work immunology at UV.   Despite his numerous accomplishments, he never forgot his roots and the stories that we built our friendship upon.  I will sorely miss talking to him and exchanging ideas, and the past events of our friendship.     

   

My condolences to Tom’s family. I’ve known Tom for70 years. We were in the church choir for almost18 years. Over the years I caught up with him in Canberra Australia, St Louis Mo and recently over the past year my 19 year old granddaughter and I FaceTimed him almost every day. We had wonderful amusing conversations about music, movies, finance, food, etc. My granddaughter enjoyed his personality and found him to be a kind soul. We will miss those daily conversations that we so looked forward to. He will be missed. 

OBITUARY

Dr. Thomas Joseph Braciale Jr.

October 22, 1946 – May 19, 2023

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