What can I say but Tom was almost like another brother to me. We were born 10 days apart in March of 1960. I first met him when I was 5 or 6 years old. The school bus stop was a quarter mile down Maple Avenue and I had to pass Tom's house to reach it. (Believe it or not, parents let kids do that in the 60's especially in the country). He'd usually wait for me and then we'd walk the last 200 yards together and wait for the bus. During those times we'd talk about baseball (SF Giants) and how we'd play for them one day. 
Tom was an only child so it was natural for him to want to hang out with someone like a brother and I kind of filled that role. Oh, believe me he was a pain at times, especially when he'd call the house constantly looking to fill his boredom by hanging out with me!  In those early years we did a lot together. Rode our bikes everywhere, played one-on-one, had long lasting Wiffle Ball games, played poker with his dad, listened to 70's music and got into some childish trouble! As they say, those were the good old days.
My best memories were going down to his house and his Dad would hit us ground balls or pop-ups. We loved baseball and the ultimate was when his Dad would take us to Candlestick Park on a Sunday to watch a Double-Header. That's the only way we could get him to drive the 120 plus miles round trip. He always told us it wasn't worth it to go for just one game! 
We went through elementary and high school together, graduating in 1978. After this time we sort of separated as we began our lives and started college. During the 80's and 90's  and 2000's we were in touch but it was sporadic. He was all over the country working in the restaurant industry.
The best thing that got us reconnected was the cell phone, we began talking and texting a bit and once I retired in 2014 I would torment him with pictures and texts of all the SF Giant games I was going to. He was living in Texas by then so he didn't have much chance to see them. We did get to spend one last Giant Game together  (with Deb!) in 2018 when he was back in Morgan Hill for his mother's funeral. That's the last time I saw him, however, that really rekindled our relationship. Since that year, I'd say we were in touch as much or more than when we were kids. We talked and texted many times a week and yes, at times, he was just like the olden days...I knew Deb was working late or he was bored as he was Door-Dashing. He'd call just to call!
The last time I talked with him was Friday, 9-16. He gave me the somewhat better news that he didn't need surgery for his broken arm. Then we razzed each other about the baseball playoff, since I now live in San Diego and have adopted the Padres.  Then Sunday we texted and I missed a call from him.
I have a million stories of our life long friendship, I'm just sad to think there won't be anymore! I won't forget you...

Kirke La Shelle

P.S. Enjoy the pictures, Two class pictures from '68 and '72. And three from 1970 when he was at my brothers birthday party at our house.

So many good times! Miss my hubby so much!

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Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

Thomas Talerico

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OBITUARY

Thomas Anthony Talerico

March 1, 1960 – September 20, 2022

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

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