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Tom Jolls

Thomas W. Jolls (August 6, 1933 – June 7, 2023), professionally known as Tom Jolls and affectionately as Commander Tom, was an television personality and renowned for his 34-year at in , where he delivered weather forecasts and hosted a beloved children's program that entertained generations of local viewers. Born in Newfane and raised in , Jolls began his broadcasting career in radio at WUSJ in Lockport before transitioning to television. He joined WKBW in 1965 as a weatherman, quickly becoming a staple of the station's 7 Eyewitness News team alongside anchor and sports reporter Rick Azar, delivering reliable forecasts during a time when local news was gaining prominence in the region. Jolls' most iconic role came with The Commander Tom Show, a weekday afternoon children's program he hosted from 1965 to 1991, featuring cartoons, puppet segments with characters like Trembly McShaky and Nellie the Nurse, and interactive elements that fostered a sense of community among young audiences in . Dressed in a Mountie uniform, he embodied a friendly, avuncular figure, often closing 7 Eyewitness News broadcasts at 11 p.m. with the memorable , "It's 11 o'clock—do you know where your children are?"—a line that became synonymous with his on-air presence and contributed to his status as a . The Commander Tom character continued to appear on other WKBW children's programming into the mid-1990s. Throughout his tenure, Jolls earned widespread acclaim for his approachable style and dedication to public service, culminating in inductions to the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1998 and the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2019. He retired in 1999 after over three decades at the station, leaving a lasting legacy as a family man—married to Janice for 68 years with six children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren—and a figure whose warmth and reliability endeared him to the Buffalo community. Jolls passed away peacefully at age 89 in Cheektowaga, New York, surrounded by family, prompting tributes that highlighted his enduring impact on local television history.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Thomas W. Jolls was born on August 6, 1933, in Newfane, New York, to Wilburt and Ethel Jolls. The family soon relocated to nearby , where Jolls spent his childhood and teenage years in a modest, working-class household typical of rural Western New York's industrial communities during the and post-World War II era. As an , he was shaped by the town's tight-knit environment, with its heritage and local mills providing a backdrop of hardworking values and community gatherings that sparked his early fascination with performance and storytelling. Jolls' formative experiences in Lockport, including participation in school activities and exposure to regional theater, fostered a passion for media that would propel him toward a career in upon graduating from Lockport High School. Jolls graduated from Lockport High School in 1951 and later attended Canisius College.

Early Career in Broadcasting

Tom Jolls began his broadcasting career in 1951 at WUSJ radio in , where he grew up. In 1953, he gained his first television exposure at the short-lived WBES-TV, a UHF station in . This brief stint introduced him to the visual demands of television, complementing his radio experience. Following high school graduation that year, he served in the U.S. Army before returning to the station. At WUSJ from 1955 to 1962, Jolls worked as a newscaster and weatherman, handling announcing duties and production tasks that built his foundational skills in on-air delivery and content creation. In 1963, Jolls moved to WBEN in Buffalo, working across its AM, FM, and TV outlets for about two years. There, he focused on weather reporting for WBEN-TV (Channel 4) and voiceover work for WBEN radio (930 AM), refining his conversational style and meteorological expertise in a larger market. These positions honed his approachable on-air persona, emphasizing clear communication and audience engagement, which paved the way for his prominent role at WKBW starting in 1965.

Television Career

The Commander Tom Show

The Commander Tom Show premiered on December 20, 1965, as a weekday afternoon children's program on in , hosted by station weatherman Tom Jolls in the role of Commander Tom. The program served as an interstitial host segment wrapping around syndicated reruns, initially featuring live-action series such as Adventures of Superman. Over time, it incorporated a mix of classic cartoons and educational content to engage young viewers after school. Jolls, who also handled weather forecasting duties at WKBW, created and voiced the show's puppet characters himself, adding a layer of live interaction to the broadcast. These included Dustmop, a loyal puppet introduced in 1967 as the watchdog of Central Command; Matty the Mod, an energetic but dim-witted alligator; Cecily Fripple, the first female puppet modeled after comedian ; and Cecile, Cecily's scheming evil sister. Dressed in a crimson Mountie tunic, Jolls' Commander Tom character led skits and serial adventures with these puppets, blending humor and light-hearted storytelling. The show evolved significantly over its run, shifting from daily weekday afternoons to weekend mornings and incorporating more family-oriented programming by the late 1970s. It continued under the banner of Commander Tom's World near the end of its tenure before being cancelled in 1991, after which the Commander Tom character merged into a revival of WKBW's earlier children's series in 1992, concluding in 1993 after a total of 28 years on air. Educational elements were woven throughout, with puppet-led serials delivering moral lessons on topics like and , while Jolls frequently visited local schools to connect directly with audiences.

Weather Forecasting Role

Tom Jolls joined the WKBW weather team in 1965, where he delivered forecasts as part of the station's "Eyewitness News" broadcasts for over 30 years, retiring in 1999. His segment, "The Weather Outside," became a staple, providing daily updates tailored to Western New York's unpredictable climate. Jolls' signature style featured a folksy, reassuring delivery that endeared him to viewers, often concluding forecasts with a single "Weather Word" to encapsulate the day's conditions, such as the memorable "salubrious" for pleasant weather. As a key member of the iconic "Irv, Rick and Tom" anchor team alongside news anchor Irv Weinstein and sports director Rick Azar, he contributed to what became Buffalo's longest-running news-sports-weather trio, fostering a sense of local camaraderie during broadcasts. This team dynamic, starting in 1965, emphasized straightforward, community-focused reporting that resonated in Buffalo. Jolls provided consistent coverage of major storms, including the Blizzard of 1977, during which he braved hazardous conditions to reach the studio and report on the event's radar-evasive and whiteout dangers. His on-air presence during such variable weather events, marked by the region's notorious and temperature swings, offered steady guidance to residents. Technically, Jolls' presentations evolved with the station's facilities, beginning with simple chalkboard maps and a prop at the studio before transitioning to elaborate outdoor sets at 7 Broadcast Plaza, including a gazebo, green screen backdrops, and digital for enhanced visuals. Live reports from these sets, especially during , became viewer favorites, blending practical information with Jolls' affable demeanor. His familiarity from the Commander Tom persona further strengthened his connection with audiences across generations.

Other On-Air Contributions

Throughout his 34-year tenure at from 1965 to 1999, Tom Jolls contributed extensively to the station's on-air identity through voiceover work for promos, commercials, and interstitials, including the memorable sign-off, "It's 11 o'clock, do you know where your children are?" These efforts helped reinforce 's branding during a period of competitive local television in . Jolls also made guest appearances on various WKBW programs and engaged in cross-promotions that linked his weather segments with children's programming, broadening his appeal to diverse audiences. This supplementary visibility complemented his primary roles without overlapping into dedicated forecasting or puppet-hosted content. His on-air presence extended to live community events, where he served as for local gatherings and participated in promotional activities, such as the 1990s backyard barbecue campaigns that brought him to viewers' homes for special visits. These engagements strengthened community ties and highlighted his approachable persona beyond the studio. Jolls' roles evolved alongside WKBW's shift to the personality-driven Eyewitness News format in the late 1960s, where he integrated into the station's evolving production styles as a versatile broadcaster until his 1999 retirement. In supporting the Irv, Rick, and anchor team dynamic, he helped sustain WKBW's news dominance for over two decades.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Tom Jolls was married to Janice (née Cronkhite) Jolls for 68 years, sharing a life centered in . The couple raised their family primarily in the region, balancing Jolls' demanding broadcasting career with home life in communities like West Falls. The Jolls had six children: Suzanne Marie, Thomas Dale, Kathleen Ann, Lisa Ann, Timothy Wilbert, and Terrence Leo. At the time of his death, Jolls was also survived by 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, reflecting the growth of his immediate family over decades. In retirement, the family maintained a residence in West Falls, New York, with seasonal stays in Cape Coral, Florida, though Jolls ultimately prioritized proximity to his family by remaining year-round in Western New York. This decision underscored the importance of family gatherings and support amid his professional commitments.

Community Involvement

Throughout his career, Tom Jolls extended his role as Commander Tom beyond the television studio by making frequent personal visits to schools across , where he interacted directly with children to deliver engaging talks and activities that reinforced the educational themes from his show. These off-air appearances, often overlapping with promotional elements of his on-air work, allowed him to connect with young audiences in settings like elementary schools, creating memorable experiences that emphasized fun, learning, and community spirit. Jolls demonstrated strong commitment to local causes through his longstanding involvement with the Variety Club of Buffalo and Western New York, where he served on the Schools and Youth Committee to support initiatives aiding children with disabilities. In this capacity, he contributed to charity efforts like the annual Variety Kids Telethon, participating in ways that highlighted youth involvement under the "Kids Helping Kids" banner and raised funds for regional programs benefiting thousands of children. His work with the organization reflected his Lockport origins and dedication to Buffalo-area youth development, fostering broader cultural ties through fan interactions that promoted positive values and media engagement.

Later Years and Legacy

Retirement and Awards

Tom Jolls retired from on June 30, 1999, after a 34-year tenure that began in 1965, marking the end of his daily on-air presence as the station's weatherman. He was succeeded in the weather role by Mike Randall, who had joined the station earlier and continued the tradition of engaging forecasts. Jolls' departure was celebrated with a final weather segment that reflected his long-standing rapport with audiences. In recognition of his contributions to local broadcasting, Jolls was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 1998, shortly before his retirement, honoring his role in shaping Channel 7's iconic news and entertainment programming. He received further acclaim in 2019 with induction into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, where he was celebrated for his enduring impact on the industry during a ceremony in Saratoga Springs. Following retirement, Jolls maintained a low-profile but occasionally reconnected with the public through special appearances and interviews. For instance, in 2021, he called into WKBW to offer congratulations to retiring colleague Radford, demonstrating his continued warmth toward the broadcasting community. He also reflected on his career in a 2019 interview, sharing insights into his time as "Commander Tom" and the joys of entertaining generations of viewers. These post-retirement engagements underscored his lasting legacy without a return to full-time work.

Death and Tributes

Tom Jolls passed away on June 7, 2023, at the age of 89, while receiving hospice care at Buffalo Hospice in Cheektowaga, New York, surrounded by his family. WKBW, where Jolls had worked for decades, issued an official announcement of his death that afternoon, describing him as a legendary figure fondly remembered as Commander Tom. The family's obituary, published through Amigone Funeral Home, confirmed the details and noted a private family service, emphasizing his roles as a devoted husband, father, and broadcaster. Tributes poured in from former colleagues, who reflected on Jolls' humility, authenticity, and enduring impact on broadcasting. Longtime WKBW anchor Keith Radford mourned the loss of "the last of the trio" from the iconic Irv, Rick, and Tom team, sharing personal memories of their camaraderie. Former WKBW News Director John Disciullo recalled Jolls' warmth during off-air gatherings and his beloved status among staff. Feature reporter Mike Randall highlighted Jolls' signature use of "salubrious" and his genuine on-air presence that endeared him to generations. Coverage in the Buffalo News and underscored his legendary status, with the latter featuring a family statement on praising his career and family life. Public mourning was widespread, particularly on , where fans shared childhood memories of Jolls as a comforting "TV uncle" through The Commander Tom Show and his weather segments, evoking a sense of communal loss across and . While no public memorial events were held, the outpouring highlighted his cultural significance as a beloved local icon.

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