Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Bishop, Jr., Thomas E. May 29, 2006
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 March 5, 2022, 10:51 am

Daily Press May 31, 2006
Thomas E. Bishop Jr. died Monday, May 29, in Sentara Leigh Hospital. His family 
was at his side in his last days, as he was ever at theirs. Tommy Bishop's 
professional life followed two tracks, performing as a musician and working in the 
maritime transportation industry. His personal life was devoted to a single, 
generous purpose – what was best for his family, especially his dear Adelaide. In 
1945, he met and fell in love with Adelaide White at the Colley Theater (now the 
Naro) in Ghent. Together, they raised six children and enjoy the love of nine 
grandchildren, age 2 to age 30, in each of whom he showed pride and delight. Tommy 
and Adelaide celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in September, and she was 
with him at his final breath on Monday. An endlessly encouraging father and 
friend, Tommy freely shared his mechanical ingenuity, his love of music and his 
down-to-earth, principled outlook. His friends and family never tired of his sense 
of humor, nor his richly detailed stories from a life of affection and 
accomplishment. He was a graduate of Maury High School, where he began a musical 
career at age 14. Over a long career in the transportation business, Mr. Bishop 
worked for various companies, including American Export Lines and Ramsay-Scarlett. 
He took pride in the expertise and ingenuity required, and also built success on 
personal relationships, a sense of humor and even practical jokes. Tommy's ear for 
music made him an accomplished bassist and sought-after band member. Over a 
performing career of more than five decades – particularly with dear friends and 
musical partners, Pat Curtis and Sonny Morgan – his playing entertained audiences 
throughout Hampton Roads. He was an open and perceptive listener, who could 
equally appreciate the drive of a bluegrass band, the swing of a jazz trio or the 
artistry of solo violin. With typical humility, he called himself a "commercial 
musician" to distinguish his work from musical artists he admired. He mastered 
many styles and respected many players, but to his ear, few surpassed George 
Shearing, Mel Tormé or Art Tatum. He was adept and tireless with any tool. He 
built his parents a home in Cape Story by the Sea when it was mostly open land. 
His youngest daughter and her family live in it today. With and for Adelaide, he 
designed and contracted for the construction of their home next door, with 
attention to unique details. On both homes, father, mother, sons and daughters 
worked side by side. Born in Norfolk in 1929, his family roots were in southwest 
Virginia, where he was always glad to return. He had a country touch for growing 
anything and repairing anything. From his mother, Margaret Widener Bishop, he 
learned and passed to his own children the art of cooking ham, red-eye gravy and 
angel biscuits. From his father, Thomas E. Bishop Sr., he inherited an impish 
sense of humor that sparkled in his eye and in his smart-alecky wit to his last 
day. Mr. Bishop is survived by his wife, Adelaide White Bishop; son Tom Bishop and 
his wife, Lesa McCoy, of Virginia Beach, and their daughter, Anna; daughter, Betsy 
Gates, and her husband, Ernie Gates, of Williamsburg, and their children, Sarah, 
Martha and Thomas; daughter, Susan Bishop Zirpoli, and her husband, Tom Zirpoli, 
of Westminster, MD, and their children, Christopher and Julia; son, Paul Bishop, 
of Norfolk; son, David Bishop, of Norfolk; daughter, Laura Bishop Rupp, and her 
husband, Chris Rupp, of Virginia Beach, and their sons, Tyler, Jeremy and Ethan; 
and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Bishop was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic 
Church in Norfolk. A Christian wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at 
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, 1501 Colonial Ave., Norfolk. The funeral Mass will 
be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, at Sacred Heart Church in the Ghent section of 
Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope House Foundation, 801 
Boush St., Norfolk VA 23510.

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