Tommy Comeaux killed on bicycle 11/8
Will Dawes
Lafayette, Louisiana
_The_Sunday_Advertiser_ 11/9/97 (used with permission):
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"Area doctor, musician is killed in bike wreck"
Thomas Comeaux had played with BeauSoleil, Coteau.
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John St. Ores
Staff Writer
LAFAYETTE - Acadiana is mourning the loss of a man who moved
effortlessly between the worlds of medecine and music, and, in
doing so, touched both body and soul.
Dr. Thomas G. Comeaux, 45, local physician and former member
of the award winning band, BeauSoleil, died Saturday when the
bicycle he was riding was struck by an automobile.
According to Lt. Ken Franques, of the Lafayette Parish
Sheriff's Office, at approximately 9:30 a.m. (Saturday, 11/8),
a vehicle driven by Hebert Hermis, 37, of Lafayette, was
traveling west in the 300 block of Shenandoah Drive, near
Broussard. Hermis apparently lost control of his vehicle and
crossed the center line into the opposing lane, striking
Comeaux. Acadian Air Med Ambulance transported Comeaux to
Lafayette General Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead
by emergency room physicians. "We're trying to determine why
(Hermis) lost control," Franques said. "Eyewitnesses indicate
that the reason may be a medical seizure of some kind." The
Lafayette Sheriff's Accident Investigation Team is continuing
their probe.
Comeaux, a staff pathologist at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional
Medical Center, was perhaps better known as one of the world's
premier Cajun musicians. A longtime member of BeauSoleil, Basin
Brothers, Clickin' Chickens, Coteau and other bands, Comeaux
was a prodigal performer who was accomplished on guitar, dobro,
mandolin and bass. In 1995, Comeaux was voted "Best Cajun
Guitarist" in a local music poll.
"He was the best of the best," said Sonny Landreth, who
performed with Comeaux in a number of bands. "He always helped
people. It's amazing how many circles of people he was connected
with. Friends say a lifetime of generosity is the foundation
upon which Comeaux's legacy will rest. "He was always there for
you," said Gary Newman, a friend of Comeaux's and a local
musician, shortly after learning of the tragedy. "Beyond that,
it's difficult to reduce Tommy Comeaux's full and active life
to mere words." Landreth agreed that Comeaux lived life to the
fullest. "You hear that phrase a lot, but Tommy really defined
it," he said. "That kind of friendship is a very rare thing.
I've lost a lot of friends, but this cuts the deepest."
Camille Roach, co-owner of Grant Street Dancehall, said Comeaux
put his heart and soul into both his medical and his musical
vocations. "He was just an all-around good guy," Roach said.
"He played different types of music, but it was always honest,
always from the heart. That was the common musical thread that
wove it all together."
Landreth said that Comeaux, Cajun born and Cajun bred,
personified the "joi de vivre" of the native culture. "Tommy
had a remarkable capacity for living and loving life," Landreth
said. "He was constantly involved with helping people and doing
things he loved." Both Landreth and Newman said Comeaux's
friends could never figure out where he found the time or energy
to impact so many people's lives. "The guy would sleep maybe six
hours a night," Landreth said. "But a big part of his life was
taking care of himself." A confessed "fitness junkie," Comeaux
was an award-winning marathon runner who had just taken up a new
sport - bicycling. "He loved riding his bike," said Landreth.
--
Will Dawes
Lafayette, Louisiana
email: wda...@bellsouth.net
(318) 267-7817
Victor LeBlanc
The world is a lesser place without the likes of Tommy. He will be
forever in the thoughts and prayers of many. He will be missed by his
friends and fans. It is a sad day in Acadiana.
Carry his kindness with you. Help someone- just because.
That would make him smile.
Victor LeBlanc
Etc Arts