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May 31, 2016 Surfer Blood By Christopher Roberts

Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete passed away in his sleep last night. He had been battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Fekete’s wife, Jessica, announced the news this morning on the GoFundMe page that was set up to help raise money to pay for his medical bills. Here’s her full post:

“Our sweet Thomas passed on last night, peacefully in his sleep, holding my hand. With one last sigh, he let go of the burden of pain and suffering that he has been bravely carrying for so long. I am full of comfort knowing that he is now free, and long for the day I get to be with him again.

“May we all carry on Thomas’ legacy by being the very best versions of ourselves for the rest of our days, and do as much as we can to help others in his honor. If we can strive to be half the person Thomas was, this world will be a better place.

“I plan to host a celebration of his life here on the beach in South Florida, the first weekend of July, just after his birthday on 1st. I will share specific details as soon as possible. I invite anyone who holds Thomas in their hearts to please join me in celebrating him.

“It was an absolute privilege to stand next to Thomas and face this monster head on. Even as his body failed him, his mind and spirit soldiered on. Never was there a day that we weren’t filled with hope. Never was there a day that he even considered throwing in the towel. He was the kind hearted, funny, fearless, magnetic beam of light you all knew him to be up until his very last breath.

“Thomas John Fekete, I love you and live for you. Nothing will make me more proud than being able to call myself your wife.

“Now, my beautiful angel, go find Bowie and jam.”

Last year his bandmates and many other musicians donated previously unreleased songs to be sold to help pay his medical bills, including Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, Cults, The Drums, Guided By Voices, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead, Julianna Barwick, and others. Fekete also released a solo cassette release, entitled Burner, to help with the costs.

Fekete was an original member of Surfer Blood. The Florida band formed in 2009 and have released three albums and an EP (Fekete played on all of them). The band has also posted to Twitter about his passing. Our thoughts are with Jessica, Surfer Blood, and Thomas’ family and friends.

I love you Thom. Thank you for being part of my life. I’ll never meet anyone like you again & I’ll miss you everyday pic.twitter.com/LUHQAU1MvO

— Surfer Blood (@surferblood) May 31, 2016