Tom Nattell, died as he lived, peacefully, in his home on January 31, 2005 at the age of 52. Tom is survived by his friend and companion, Mary Anne Winslow; his children, Noah Nattell and Leah Palmer; his granddaughter, Lillian Palmer; his mother, Susan Nattell and his brothers, Charles and Andy Nattell.

Tom graduated from Albany High School. He attended the University at Albany where he received bachelor's and master's degrees and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Tom was an active participant in many local groups including the Hudson Valley Writers' Guild, Save the Pine Bush and the Honest Weight Food Coop. He was a founding member of the Albany Peace and Energy Council for which he organized and hosted the 24 hour Readings Against the End of the World every year for ten years. In 1988, Tom started Albany's first regular poets' open mic which was held on the last Monday of every month at the QE2. Tom worked closely with the Bread & Puppet performance group and performed regularly as one of the Three Guys from Albany. He was also responsible for Poets in the Park and a column entitled "The Simple Life" that appeared regularly in Metroland.

Tom's passions included biking to work, archaeology, his garden, beat poetry, his compost, fighting for human rights, uplifting the downtrodden, exposing injustices, expanding his horizons, Native American art, speaking his mind, reducing, reusing, recycling, restoring, hosting poetry readings, announcing events, earthworms, chili peppers, tomatoes, fighting the man, advocating peace, growing flowers and starting revolutions.

Contributions in Tom's name are welcomed to: Native American Rights Fund, 1506 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 www.narf.org

The Tom Nattell Memorial Circus will be held March 5, 2005 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 262 State St. from 4 to 9 p.m. If you wish to perform, participate, or volunteer please email Noah at nnattell@wesleyan.edu or call (518)438-6314.

Tom loved Albany. We will miss him. Peace.

-Published in the Albany Times Union on 2/3/2005.


Below you will find recent news articles about Tom Nattell.
Tom Nattell (Editorial) -Albany Times Union
The Good Fight -Metroland
Poet, Activist Nattell Dies of Cancer at 52 -Daily Gazette
A Poetic Farewell To Tom Nattell -Albany Times Union
Social Activist, Poet Tom Nattell Dies -Albany Times Union
Rebel Poet Nears Final Stanza -Albany Times Union
A Life Examined -Metroland

For more from Tom with the Three Guys From Albany go to PoetryPoetry.com.