Tom Maciaszek Passes

[leekobus]

For those of you who have been part of these boards for some time, I wanted to share with you the passing of an old friend, Tom Maciaszek, this week.

Mr. Maze, as his freinds know him, was a fixture in shore radio for decades. He served close to 30 years at WOBM AM and FM and before that worked for the old WMCM Radio and TV in Wildwood. Tommy was a funny guy and good friend. He will be missed. Arrangements have not been made, but I will post them as soon as they have been determined.

Lee Kobus, WOBM alumnus

 

[Erik48]

OMG... I'm so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I worked with him many years at WOBM. He was a very versatile performer at the station over many years... DJ was not enough to describe Tom who was also very capable on the technical stuff (and a ham radio buff), and a fine commercial producer who must have voiced thousands of commercials over the years.
He also engineered Bob Levy's Topic A talk-show on Sunday mornings for many years, and since he lived right across the street from the studios in Bayville, he was always the go-to guy you could rely on to keep the station going in emergencies, including nor-easters, hurricanes and snowstorms, when no one else could get to the studios.
Most of all, Tom was just a nice, nice guy to work with, and one who would always do whatever he could for you. Lee, I don't know you personally but I often heard Tom talk very fondly of you and know the two of you were long-time friends. I look forward to hearing about the funeral arrangements and thanks for posting it here. God Bless Maze!
Erik Stromborn, 100.1 WJRZ
(formerly WOBM 1982-2002)

 

[HarrytheK1]

I had not had any contact with Tom for probably 30 or so years, but, regardless, I am shocked to hear this news.

Back in the '70's we worked at competitor stations in Ocean County, and, every once in a while, our paths would cross. Even though the stations were pretty bitter rivals, Tom and I would joke about that and I always found him to be pleasant and funny and just enjoyable to talk with. Often times, our stations aired the same spots and we would bicycle tapes of those spots from one station to another. I can remember dubbing those spots from tape to cart, and, after the spot's outcue on the reel-to-reel tape, there would be a message from Tom to the effect of "Tell Harry I said hello." It was a unique way of communicating.

He was a truly nice guy who I think could be classified as a central NJ radio institution. My condolences to his family, friends, co-workers and listeners.

RIP Tom

 

[radioguynj]

I did some part-time air work at WOBM-FM back in the early 80's, where I met Tom. Nice guy and fun to be with... as reflected by all the postings.

Thanks, Tom, for making this side of the radio wasteland a little greener with your presence. R.I.P.

 

[mikemoran1]

I've sat down at this keyboard several times since I learned of Tom's passing. He was one of the first people I met when I arrived in Toms River.

Still numb, I want to remember him for his love of radio, his dedication and more than anything else, his famous sense of humor. Tom could take the most mundane situation and within a few minutes in the production room, come up with the most bizarre, twisted, outrageously funny bit - worthy of national syndication. In seriousness, his booming voice lent credibility to many advertisers on the Jersey Shore.

During my tenure as an engineer at WOBM, Tom was an incredible resource of information and help in whatever project we were attempting. And that sense of humor - yes, it extended into the engineering world too.

A gentle giant, unassuming Teddy Bear, he will be missed greatly.


Mike Moran
Jersey Shore Radio Class of '83 - '89

 

[Scott Hamilton]

I don't think I knew, or knew of Tom, as my days at 100.1 WJRZ were part time and fill-in from '93-95 and my morning show on 100.7 WZXL was 1994-2000, so even when we were in the same building (can you call it that?) as WCMC in Wildwood, I think he was already at another station.

I say all this because I just noticed Mike Moran posted something about Tom. Mike is one of my oldest and dearest "radio" friends, unfortunately we don't communicate as much as I'd like to. However, he is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and I hold his opinion dearly. So, as goes Mike, go I.

RIP Tom, clearly you are missed.

 

[coops]

This is such a sad night...I worked with Maze at WOBM AM/FM for 16 years from 1980 - 1996. He was the first to make me feel right at home making sure I knew how the equipment operated. His irreverant sense of humor will never be forgotten...Many an album cover was given the Maze touch..May he rest in peace. Lee and Allison..thanks to looking after him too.

 

[leekobus]

Tom was indeed a very funny guy. I lose count of the times that we laughed at anything and everything, even in recent years when I have been out of the radio loop, Tom could bring old memories back in a flash. Just like coops said, Tom was the first person to make you feel at home at WOBM. He was like the station ambassador. I felt right at home some 28 years ago when I graduated college, relocating to my first job and still asking myself: "where in the hell is Toms River and what's Tom doing with it???" Tommy made life in those gridning 24/7 newsroom days at WOBM just plain fun. He was always there and so he made friends with everyone who came through the door. In recent years, he enjoyed the company of my kids, who always looked forward to a visit from Uncle Tommy. Thanksgiving is coming and after decades of holidays, it's going to be tough to have an empty chair at the table this year.

 

[KC2LDY]

Maze and I were close friends for 35 years. As a brand-new 16-year-old newsman at WOBM in 1973, it was my job to walk over the motel just off station property on Route 9 and wake up the new jock to come in early for training on the board. I walked over to the station , knocked on the door of the room and was greeted moments later by a sleepy Tom Maciaszek poking his head outside and apologizing for sleeping well into the afternoon. We were buddies ever since.

Maze and I subsequently pulled many all-nighters together... DXing AM radio and participating in ham radio. We remained close over the years. Even when I moved to Florida with friends and WOBM colleagues Frank Canale and Glen Summers to operate our very own radio station, Maze came to visit and was happy to cut commericals and even pull air shifts for us - for free of course. When the station went though a lean period, Maze would buy us equipment with his own money and sent it to us without warning. When he wasn't visiting, Maze and I would talk on the phone every week. We could pick up conversations as if one of us had only stepped out to the kitchen to crack open another "frosty cold one."

Maze was a consummate broadcasting professional... and an absolute genius with perhaps the most-wicked sense of humor on record. He was an equal-opportunity joker with no one and nothing beyond his rapier-like wit - including himself. As Maze always said: "If you can't laugh at yourself, you have no business laughing at other people - and I LOVE to laugh at other people."

Capable, reliable, gentle, thoughtful, generous and funny... Tom Maciasezk will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Jersey Shore Radio and the world in general are diminished without him.

73 to our beloved silent key.

Steve Biro
KC2LDY

 

[akobus]

We "adopted" Tom into our family many years ago and he was indeed, a fixture at our holiday celebrations. My parents and sisters and Lee's mom all considered him family, and no matter where we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and so on, he was with us. On Halloween, he'd sit on our front step and hand out candy to the neighborhood kids while we walked our kids around for trick-or-treating.

Our "Mr. Maze" was dubbed "Uncle Tommy" by our 7-year-old daughter. Around our house, the name stuck and he was proud to wear it.

We included our "Uncle Tommy" in trips to the ballpark, community picnics, Easter egg hunts, jaunts to Allaire State Park and rides on the train, beach days at the ocean, parties and all sorts of holidays. He seemed to enjoy the rowdy chaos of three children under 10. When he came to visit, the kids would always lavish him with attention and engage him with coloring books and crayons, while we had coffee in the kitchen. Our four-year-old would jump up onto his lap and hug goodnight, before she went up to bed.

Tom Maciaszek was as big as a giant grizzly bear. His irreverent sense of humor could always make you laugh. He was quite fond of history and loved reminicing on "the old days,"especially his younger years in Elizabeth, NJ. His passion was radio and he was a talented man. He had a gentle spirit and a kind heart. He was much loved by our family.

 

[CVZWJRZ]

God Speed Tom

One of the first people I met when I returned to NJ. A dear fellow. Rest in Peace Tom.

 

[nonhater]

Maze we are going to miss you!!! As the others have said Maze was a great man. I started at WOBM-FM in 1987. Tom trained me and was very kind. I later trained for board op for Topic A. Tom again showed me the ropes. He did have a wicked sense of humor! I loved throwing a quip out there and making Maze laugh! He had a great laugh!!! RIP Maze! I will toast you with a beer!!

Dan Blackman

WOBM 1987-1992, 1992-1993

 

[roynilsen]

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of Tom's passing. As with so many of the other respondents here, Tom was one of the first faces I saw at WOBM. In 1983 he was already a veteran there, and a wealth of station knowledge and history, both social and technical. His sense of humor was irrespressible, and he could turn any situation into something bearable, if not hysterical. Maze was always the consummate professional on the air, but oh, if those walls could talk about the off-air times! As often happens, we fell out of touch as situations change, but Maze was part of probably the best radio family I ever had. he will be missed...

Roy Nilsen
"Rick St. James" - WOBM 1983 - 1994 (Seashore) / 1997 - 2004 (Nassau/Millennium)

 

[roynilsen]

Lee & Allison:

Thank you so much for all you have been and are doing to honor Tom. He was one of the good guys, and you are fantastic friends!

 

[DTUR]

I can't tell you invaluable Maze was to WOBM-AM/FM while I was there. He was the heart and soul of WOBM-AM. He gave the station long hours of his time, his experience and most importantly, his truly unique personality. I have some great Maze stories that I still laugh about today. Sadly, people like Maze are getting fewer and harder to find in our business. He was one in a million and will be missed by all who were lucky to have known him. Lee thanks for keeping us posted on the details.

Dan Turi
PD WOBM 2002-2004.

 

[GlennSummers]

I met Tom while Ken Cooper and I were doing the overnights at WOBM-FM in the early 80's. Maze was a very welcome sight in the early morning hours, and although we were done at 6, we wouldn't leave the station for hours, joking and having what we thought were deep conversations with him about radio and just about everything else. He was a character (meant with the deepest respect) and he left me laughing as I faced a long ride home. Many who have posted before will know about "Hccccccccch," the sitcom about the newsroom, which will remain nameless here, "Mr. Maze & The Scrufties," "Yeawh," "WOO-WOO," "AAAAAAAAAAAAAm," "Crispy Fried Duck-ah" and other Mazeisms that made him an original. And aside his wit and humor, he was tuned into the world and had a unique take on the events of the day. Maze's passion was unrelenting. He loved radio, and for the most part, it loved him back.
I remember how excited he was one late night when we were conducting a transmitter test at WZIP in Daytona Beach, and Maze picked it up and played it down the phone line. He was our fictional General Manager there and many a joke was made at our expense by "Mr. Maze." I don't remember when the last time I called him Tom; he was always "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZE," taking on an almost iconic stature.
It was Maze that got me back into radio after a long stay on the beach, and I will always be grateful to him for the recommendation, and to Dan Turi for giving me a second chance.
I popped open a cold one in his honor this weekend, and I only wish I could have shared one with him again. People like him come along once in a lifetime, and I am proud to have been able to call him my friend.
Niech Pan Bog blogoslawi Pan, Maze.

 

[SteveO_wobm_alumni]

I don't know what to write...my wife Mary ran into former GM, Glenn Jones at a golf outing yesterday and he told her to tell me about Tom passing. I'm still in shock. I haven't seen Tom in a while but the first thing that popped into my head were our drives on Friday night up to WOBM-AM to do the live "Challenge Your Memory" radio show with Stu Greenblatt and host Dr. Al Mott. I think Tom enjoyed doing that live show. It was a way for him to get out of his house and do something fun.

Maze was a great guy. I remember when I first arrived at WOBM and I saw Maze in the hall. I was intimidated by his size. He was a big burly dude who gave the impression right off that you didn't mess with him. That was, until you got to know him. He was a gentle soul...that's all I can say. Really never remember him saying a bad thing about anyone.

I had asked him a few times to come over for Thanksgiving but he always said I'll be with Lee and Allison. I'm just glad he had a place to go. Man, did he love Lee and Allison. I never even met Lee and Allison and because of how Maze always spoke about them I actually felt I knew them too. Again, Tommy loved you guys and your family. Thanks for taking care of him.

I'll miss you, Mazer.

Steven O'Connell (SteveO)
former WOBM Copywriter

 

[Jimmy Givens]

I am very saddened to learn of "Mr. Maze's" passing. He was one of the first people I met when I first started in radio. He was always very funny, a good teacher and always very kind to me ... as he was to everyone! He was a VERY TALENTED BROADCASTER... a TRUE PROFESSIONAL who knew radio inside & out. Tom Maciaszek affectionately known as "MR. MAZE" WAS "MISTER WOBM"!

Jimmy Givens
K - 98.5

 

[HutchJr]

I’ve fallen out of touch with so many of you great folks; I think that says a lot about a person when their passing can start a telegraph of communication between people who haven’t really kept in contact for so many years.

Maze was a big man, with a bigger heart and an enormous voice! His departure leaves me with a certain emptiness - saddened - though I think of him now and smile.

My time at WOBM was quite special, and the people there like family. Maze helped teach a green college kid the ropes, put the razor blade in my hand and showed me just which pots to push. We shared a lot of laughs in that studio, and he was definitely one of the people in my life who helped mentor me professionally (more than just the recording aspect). It’s been a couple of years since I bumped into the skinnier, car-driving Maze at a DMV – but I would often tune to 92.7 when in the area just to hear his voice (on a spot or playing the straight man on Sunday morning), as it made everything in Ocean County right again, as if unchanged.

Those who spent any time at WOBM always talked about the family aspect there in Bayville – no one epitomized that family persona at WOBM more than Tom Maze. He was the “rock” there at the light fm. To the rest of his friends and family, I’m sorry for your loss – our loss.

Jim Hutchinson
WOBM (1991-1997)

 

[PhilGalasso]

I first heard Tom when I moved to Ocean County in 1983...and was very favorably impressed! He was my radio companion while I did my chores in the apartment where I lived at the time. I later had the privilege of working with him when I was the chief engineer of WOBM-AM/FM from 1994 to 1998. He was indeed the life of that radio station, with a wonderful personality, both on the air and in person. His dedication is unheard of these days. He would walk to the station from his apartment in Bayville to help keep it on the air during the worst storms that pounded Ocean County in the fall and winter. Lee and Allison, thank you very much for looking after him over the years and for making him a part of your family.

I kept in touch with "Maze" after leaving WOBM and I spoke to him over the telephone up to a couple of weeks ago. We would discuss...radio...(what else?), both amateur and broadcast, and would often tie up the line for an hour. I miss his sense of humor, his sunny personality, and his insight into our industry.

Maze was very deeply hurt when the bean counters at the holding company that bought WOBM dumped him two weeks before Christmas, 2006 after 33 years of dedicated service. Radio was his life and the management of that unfortunate station took that away from him.

Rest in peace, Maze. And may those who ruined the last two years of his life by taking away his livelihood rot in Hell forever!

Phil Galasso
Former Chief Engineer, WOBM