CLEVELAND (WJW) – Members of the family of Tom Total advised FOX 8 that they’re devastated and in shock over his loss of life.
The 68-year-old West Park resident was shot by his subsequent door neighbor on Wednesday whereas chopping his grass on Munn Street.
His grieving family members shared this assertion with FOX 8’s Suzanne Stratford:
”Tom’s fast and prolonged household are shocked and grief stricken over his loss. He was properly appreciated and properly beloved by everybody who knew him. Initially from Missouri, Tom moved to Cleveland with a job alternative a long time in the past. He shortly adopted Cleveland as his hometown and beloved it right here. He beloved his neighborhood and his neighbors and the household is appreciative of all of the prayers and love proven by these neighbors throughout this troublesome time.”
Picture from the household of Thomas Total
Total was beloved by all who knew him.
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Mates and neighbors described him as a trustworthy Christian with a tender voice, a beneficiant soul and type coronary heart.
He was getting ready to go away early Friday morning, headed to Spain to hike The St. James Method or Camino de Santiago, an historical pilgrimage path and as soon as in a lifetime mountaineering journey.
“I used to be purported to drop him off on the airport at 4 o’clock within the morning, tomorrow,” stated Dan Kelley, a neighbor and pal. “It’s form of onerous whenever you see that in your cellphone to form of grasp actuality that he’s gone.”
Total was going to Spain with members of the Cleveland Mountaineering Membership.
In an announcement, CHC President Sharon Uhl stated:
“Tom was a member of CHC since 2013 and hiked virtually 6,000 miles with us. Many members knew him and hiked these miles with him, having fun with his firm on the path. He deliberate to go away Might 16 for a 2-week hike in Spain with a bunch of CHC members. We’re shocked and saddened by his useless loss of life. A beautiful particular person, a loss for thus many!”
Total had a profitable profession and had retired however started working at Rocket Enviornment on the Cleveland Cavaliers video games for enjoyable.
Rock Leisure Group despatched this assertion:
“We’re deeply saddened to listen to of the tragic passing of our valued Group Member, Tom. He was a compassionate and devoted colleague whose absence shall be felt each inside our group and in his group.”
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Cleveland police are investigating a attainable motive for the alleged shooter, his subsequent door neighbor 66-year-old Bryan Damage, however different neighbors stated there may not be one.
They described Damage as a “risky” one who had been out and in of jail and had a number of run-ins with the legislation and different residents.
Shortly after the homicide, he was discovered not far-off, deceased within a car with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“It’s actually horrible throughout, and I believe right now as we’re grieving the lack of a neighbor, making an attempt to additionally perceive the way it got here so far,” stated Charles Slife, Cleveland Ward 17 Councilman.
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