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I am saddened by todays news of the passing of my friend Terrence Tolbert. Terrence was a great person, who always demonstrated love and affection for others. He never forgot my bithday or anyone else”s in his life. Terrence was a great friend, a fantastic colleague. I will miss him. He died, making America great. He is a true heroe.

I am heart sick. He is someone I’ve known in NYC politics, law and education for a pretty long time. A great guy with a big heart and a bigger soul. He so wanted to see this moment. And, he was only 44. God, take him home, and Bless his family.

I didn’t know Terence, but he is one of my people (Obama People), so I know his heart and soul.
From everything I’ve read about him, he was a very special person, one who filled the room with his bouyant, positive presence. Kids looked up to him as a community leader.

Please know that I share your grief. He will never be forgotten, and always remembered with love.

Goodbye, dear friend, trusted mentor, our big brother.

Phil Church

I worked with Terence in 2002 on the McCall campaign. He introduced me to the inner-workings of politics and always supported low-level campaign staffers through their struggles. I remember when he got married and how happy he was. There are so many stories of Terence, and it’s a shame he can’t see his hard work pay off with Obama. My condolences to his family.

I was stunned and saddened to receive the phone call Sunday evening about Terrance’s death. I had only known him for a few months, working with him here in Las Vegas, but we connected quickly. He was not only brilliant, but the hardest working person in the city. Terrance was a guest on my radio show just 24 hours befor his death. My audience was so energized by his message and perspective on issues. We had a long conversation the night before and he joked about tossing his blackberry out the window on his long trip back home….he was so excited about the prospect of getting home to his wife…..I will treasure this tape of Saturday’s show for ever. My condolences go out to his wife, family and friends.

Patricia Cunningham

“The Patricia Cunningham Show” KCEP FM 88.1

I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Terence’s death. He was my supervisor for my first job in the State Legislature 16 years ago. He had such a gentle easy going nature, but he also had a quick wit and an incredible knowledge of the political scene. He was somebody from whom I learned my first lessons about New York State politics. I will really miss him.

My deepest condolenses to his family at this time of tradegy.

I still can’t believe Terence is gone. Just a few weeks ago we were on the phone talking about getting churches in LA to come help get out the vote in Nevada. Terence was a great guy. My prayers are with his family and those who knew him. He was gift to us and I hope we can learn to treat people as such, a gift that God was kind enough to share with us if only for a little while.

I only knew Terence for a few years but you didn’t need much time spent with him to know that he was a great human being.I am hearing everyone mentioning the great tragedy that you won’t see the fruits of your labor come to fruition but the reality is that you will be watching from above and smiling knowing that you helped change this world for the better. RIP and thank you for all your help! You will be greatly missed.

I am a precinct leader for the Obama campaign in Las Vegas and was privileged to have known Terence Tolbert.
From the instant we met, I felt as though I’d known him for a long time. He had a warmth that simply enveloped me and I knew, in an instant, that this was one of the good guys. He always had a smile and, as busy as he was, he had time to stop and chat whenever I came into Obama headquarters. Because we are both from NY, we had lots to chat about. I was devastated when I learned of his passing and heartsick at the thought that he will not be here to enjoy the fruits of his labors tomorrow evening when Senator Obama becomes the President Elect. It will indeed be a bitter-sweet victory.

My heart goes out to his wife and mother. May God rest his beautiful soul.

I am stunned about the passing of one man who made a significant difference to the community. I will miss Terrence for his caring ways. My birthday will never be the same without his call to say “hope you’re doing something great today. Happy Birthday.” I was fortunate to watch him grow from a high school student working with me at 131st Street Block Association to the dynamic political force that he has become. I will always remember him. My condolences go out to his wife Freida and his mother, Carolyn.

I met Terence at my good friend Basil Smikle’s Birthday Party. He was energetic, engaging, and posessed an ability to put people at ease. I extend my deepest condolences and prayers to his wife, mother, and friends. May God’s peace and abounding comfort be your portion.

I had the honor of meeting and working for Terrence over 10 years ago when he hired me as Director of his church’s (St. Andrews) Summer Day Camp Program in Harlem. He was a great boss. Serious about handeling business, but always holding on to his sense of humor. His smile could and would not only brighten our day, but the children’s as well! God bless his wife, and mom know you’ve much to be proud of…job well done.

I was shocked and so sad when I heard the news of Terrence’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Terrence in 2005 and he has been a mentor to me ever since. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.

I had the priviledge of meeting Terrence for the first time working on the Carl McCall Campaign, and the second time, working as an Intern for a GREAT Assemblyman the Honorable Keith Wright. Terrence our meetings were short but always with depth. Good soliders like yourself are rare, and far in between the meeting of another. You will be missed.

I was Terence’s Social Studies teacher at The Bronx High School of Science. While I do not remember what specific subject I taught him, the picture that comes to my mind is of a slim erect young man who was always polite, soft spoken, and had a good sense of humor and an engaging smile. I never knew what happened to Terence after he graduated, but I was thrilled to learn that he rose to such an important position at this time in our nation’s history.

I met Terence through a mutual friend, and I usually saw him at political events and in passing in Harlem; most recently I saw him at a wedding this past July. He had such a great sense of humor! At these events, as words bounced from person to person, all heads would turn expectantly when it was his turn to contribute, because there was always the expectation (and it was always fulfilled) that Terence would say something insightful, and incredibly funny. Today I went to his funeral, and it was moving, and inspiring. This brother lived such a short life, but within it he improved the quality of so many lives. His life is a lesson for me. I left the church inspired. Terence was such a brilliant mind. And so unassuming. I am happy that I met him. I read the comments about him and I pass along my condolences to those who knew him better than I. I can only extrapolate and imagine your loss, because with what little time I spent with the brother, I feel the impact of his passing.

Hey T, this is Terrence with two Rs (the right way to spell it)lol, I am sorry that you are no longer hear with us in the physical, but a presence like yours is never forgotten and you will always be here spiritually to anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting you. You’d be happy to know that Star Trek was mentioned numerous times at your homegoing. You were always a man of great humor, intellect and kindness, and that my man, is how I will always remember you. I will miss our many “debates” on almost anything and will always remember the good times at PERKS!
Rest In Peace My Man!! and I’ll Holla.

Love Terrence with two Rs

I am deeply saddened hearing the passing away of a dear friend Terence, when I first met him at Bloomberg’s campaign, in 2005, I found him to be a very polite, kind and very helpful person, I kept in touch with him at Obama’s campaign, he told me on facebook he was going Nevada helping Obama, I remember I thought he was such a lucky person for Obama, and Obama did win, but I am sure Terence will be blessing Obama on 20th of Jan. from Heavens above, he was such a dedicated soul, a real friend, who will be deeply missed by us all, my heartfelt condolence to his family,
God Bless his family and give them tremendous amount of strength to bear this great loss.
I always saw Terence with a big smile, he had a big heart full of love for all.

Terence was a great person and friend. The best listener I have ever encountered. He could make me laugh even during a crisis. He will be missed. He was a very kind-hearted and caring person that genuinely loved to help people.