Thomas Edward Gallucci

Thomas Edward Gallucci passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, surrounded by the family who loved him dearly. Even in his final moments, one could almost hear the echo of a saxophone riff; the soundtrack to a life lived with rhythm, soul, and an unwavering commitment to the music that defined him. Born on October 7, 1945, to Samuel and Helen (Crafton) Gallucci in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Thomas was the only brother to the late Regina Achey. From an early age, it was clear that Thomas possessed something special, a musical gift that would shape not only his career but his very essence. While other children were content with baseball and bikes, young Thomas was drawn to melody and harmony. He discovered the flute, the guitar, the clarinet, and finally his true voice, the saxophone. That horn became an extension of his life, a way of speaking when words wouldn’t do, a means of expressing joy, longing, and everything in between. Thomas graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem in 1963, completing the Scientific Course track. In 1967, he answered another call, to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force. For four years, he worked as a data procurement machine operator, managing what we would now recognize as early mainframe computers. He separated with an honorable discharge, having received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Medal. Yet even during his military service, Thomas carried his love for music with him, he didn’t leave the music behind. His saxophone found its way into local bands, and he played as a freelance musician whenever duty allowed, cultivating what would become not just a career, but a calling. The real magic happened after his military service ended when Thomas became a professional musician, a true artist who brought joy to countless audiences. Among his most treasured accomplishments was his time with The Executives, an Orlando-based variety band that could seamlessly move from jazz to pop to soul to R&B, adapting to any crowd, any venue, any moment. The Executives became fixtures of the Orlando music scene, performing across the United States and throughout the Caribbean Islands. They were the kind of band you’d find at elegant weddings, corporate events, club dates, and festival stages; versatile, professional, and always exceptional. With The Executives, Thomas shared stages with notable artists, providing backup for performers like the late Jackie Jones and even opening for legendary acts such as The Four Tops. But it wasn’t just about the marquee names. Thomas partnered with local artists wherever life took him: Wichita, Kansas; Tampa and Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Washington, DC. He played at beloved venues like the former 701 Restaurant, bringing his gift to intimate gatherings and grand celebrations alike. His saxophone could make a wedding reception dance, a corporate event swing, or a nightclub come alive. To know Thomas was to know a man who lived for music. When he picked up his saxophone, something transformed within him. The quirky wit gave way to pure expression. The technical precision he’d learned working with mainframes in the Air Force translated into impeccable timing and an ability to read a room, to know exactly what note came next. He didn’t just play music; he conversed with it, breathing life into every phrase, every solo, every accompaniment. But Thomas, affectionately known as T-Man, was so much more than his music. He was a man of fascinating contradictions: warm yet quick with a cutting remark, deeply loving yet fiercely independent in his ways. His “way of doing things” became legendary in the family. The man who once worked with sensitive military data systems brought that same security consciousness home, earning the family nickname “NSA” for his insistence on 26-plus character Wi-Fi passwords--at home! This was Thomas: brilliant, thorough, and utterly uncompromising about the things that mattered to him, even if others found them frustrating and amusing. He spent his later years in Alexandria, Virginia, with his beloved wife Jessica, or J1, as he called her. Their marriage of over 25 years was built on deep affection, spirited conversation, and mutual respect. Thomas loved nothing more than a charged debate with J1, matching wits and words in the way that only two people who truly know each other can. He befriended delivery drivers and home repair workers, treating each one with the same dignity and regard he’d show anyone else. He delighted in baked cookies made by his niece Sharon using the family recipe, a simple pleasure that connected him to his roots. He was also very close to the late Robert Achey, his nephew. Thomas took immense pride in his bonus children, embracing them as his own. He also cherished relationships with his sisters and brothers in law: Dr. Clara (Eric) Moseley; Michael (Trini) Moore; and Cheryl (Victor) Johnson. Thomas could make you laugh and exasperate you in the same breath. He had strong opinions about music, technology, politics, and just about everything else, and he wasn’t shy about sharing them. But beneath the banter and the bravado was a man who cared deeply, who showed up for the people he loved, who gave generously of his time and talent. Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Jessica L. Spencer Gallucci; his bonus children: Sha-Rone Buggs-Reyes, Brigadier General (Ret) Vincent (Cheryl) Buggs, Rev. Dr. Courtney V. Buggs, and Francessca (Jimmy) Vasquez; nieces, Regina Achey and Sharon (Bernard) Achey Steffens; nephew Douglas (Anna) Achey; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, bonus grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by close friends including Thomas Lanze, and his Executives bandmates: Jeff Pratt, David Crockett, Ronnie Hart, and many others who knew the privilege of making music with him. As we celebrate the life of Thomas Edward “T-Man” Gallucci, we do so with hearts full of laughter, joy, and yes, tears. We remember his music, those unforgettable saxophone lines that could stop you in your tracks. We remember his wit, his warmth, his stubborn insistence on doing things his way. We remember a man who lived authentically, loved deeply, and left the world a more melodious place than he found it. The measure of our grief reflects our love for having had him in our lives for this brief and meaningful moment in time. The music may have stopped, but the melody lingers on. Forever loved. Forever remembered. Memorial contributions may be made to the Purple Heart Foundation.

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Thomas Edward Gallucci

October 7, 1945 - January 22, 2026