Thomas Ponce

Thomas N. Ponce passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2019. He was a professional musician for over 40 years, as well as a music teacher in the Chicago public schools. While still in high school, he gave private guitar lessons and played in various rock bands, though his true love was blues guitar. Thom came from a musical family, as the son of legendary jazz musician Tommy Ponce, and jazz drummer Charlotte Prince. Throughout his musical career, he was the lead guitarist for several Chicago blues bands, as well as a few in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was a graduate of Waupun High School and UW-Oshkosh. He passed his love of music on to many.

Thom is survived by his daughter, Sera Ponce, 3 grandchildren: Sam Bennett and Otto & Olivia Stanislawczyk, and a sister, Vicki Ponce Semper-Ryan. He is further survived by several half-siblings, many nieces and nephews, and other family. At Thom's request, his remains were donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois.