A neighbor supplied this sad news…though more can be seen on a FaceBook page.

Thomas E. Robertson (1942-2011) passed away April 7 after a brief illness. Tom resided at 302 S Laurel St.

Born in Richmond, Tom was orphaned and left school in the third grade. He was pipefitter by trade, Tom was with his beloved domestic partner Bette Wilson for 34 years until her passing last year. Despite a lack of education, Tom bought and sold property and ran an innovative natural lawn care service/health food store in Northside. Tom picked up stray animals out of kindness. Tom left no family but will be missed by Bette’s four grown sons, and his dog Cleo. Tom will be cremated; in lieu of a funeral.

Favorite Lyric:

Broken windows and empty hallways,
a pale dead moon in a sky streaked with grey.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it’s gonna rain today.

Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles,
the frozen smiles to chase love away.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it’s gonna rain today.

Lonely, lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I’ll kick it down the street.
That’s the way to treat a friend.

Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it’s gonna rain today.

Lonely, so lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I’ll kick it down the street.
That’s the way to treat a friend.

Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it’s gonna rain today.
—————-
by Randy Newman.