My best friend: Remembering Thomas Edwin Loughridge By Tom Vrhovnik Special to the Times A rather formal sounding name. For me, he shall always be wise ol' Tom, which he humbly was. Our deep friendship spanning the past four years, so blessed in the time God gave us. Is one ever too old to make new friends? Tom and I, both approaching the age of dirt, proved otherwise. Sadly he passed away Nov. 14, 2020. Here are some memories of Tom's life as he shared with me. Thomas Edwin Loughridge, born Dec. 23, 1934 in Willoughby, Ohio as the only child of Charles and Lucie Loughridge. Charles a photographer, Lucie an accomplished pianist, who spent more time with their professional interests than with their son.