THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412200120
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Friar Tuck's Pub may look the same and the band One Hot Foot may sound the same, but tonight's show will be a special one.
Starting at 9, family and friends will come together for a benefit concert to express their support and blessings for Tommy Pucher, a Norfolk native who recently suffered a near-fatal car crash and remains hospitalized in Denver, Colo.
A $5 cover charge and other proceeds will go toward Pucher's medical bills, but for his parents, who live in Ghent, it's not the cash that counts.
``It's not the money that's important to us - it's that people want to show their love and support that means so much,'' said his mother, Frances Pucher, with his father, Tamas, echoing those sentiments.
The event is being organized by Tracy Duff, a longtime friend of Tommy's.
``We want to let him know how concerned we are and that we're thinking of him, especially at Christmas,'' Duff said.
On Oct. 29, Tommy and friends were driving home from a friend's house in the mountains near Breckenridge, Colo., when their car skidded out of control on an icy road. Pucher was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining severe head injuries. Weather conditions prevented him from being airlifted out by helicopter. In the 90-minute drive to St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, he fell into a coma. His mother, father and sister Kristen arrived the next day.
After spending three weeks in the trauma unit, Tommy was moved to the city's Craig Hospital, a rehabilitation center, where he is now slowly recovering.
``Tommy has had a traumatic brain injury, but the doctors tell us that he is a good candidate for rehabilitation,'' his mother said. ``We're optimistic and hopeful, but at this time we don't know what the outcome will be.''
Tommy still retains much of his long-term memory but his short-term recollection is impaired. He is still in a partial coma, coming in and out of coherency, but the durations of alertness are getting longer.
``Just in the last week, he has become more awake,'' his mother said. ``He's getting excellent medical attention. Craig is one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the country.''
Tommy also will be getting a lot of attention on the home front. A packed house is expected for the show. Friar Tuck's, at 4408 Hampton Blvd. across from Old Dominion University, is one of Tommy's favorite local spots and One Hot Foot is one of his favorite local bands. A gregarious person, Pucher's many friends are expected to be out in large numbers.
``Tommy knows everyone. He's never met a stranger,'' Duff said. ``He's the kind of guy who would literally give you the shirt off his back.''
Duff came up with the idea for a benefit two weeks ago. She asked the members of One Hot Foot (all of whom grew up with Tommy in Ghent) if they would do a show for him. Their response: ``When and where?''
``I've known Tommy since we were kids - he's a great guy,'' said Barrett Wood, vocalist and guitarist for the band. ``We were ready to do anything to help out.''
Duff then approached Friar Tuck's. Managers Dave Staub, Paul Seifert and Doug Altamura were more than happy to accommodate.
``I told Tracy we would be glad to make it happen,'' Staub said.
Duff is videotaping the show and sending it to Tommy for his 26th birthday, which is Christmas Day. His mother and brother John will be by his side for the holidays. In January, his brother Christian will join him, followed by his father, who will stay with Tommy until he comes home, which could be in two or three months.
``We're trying to have as many family members and friends with him as possible,'' his father said.
Tommy moved to Colorado in 1992 after graduating from Hampden-Sydney College. His parents said that he had been working in restaurants and skiing.
``Things have been tough,'' said his father, an architect with Williams, Tazewell and Associates. ``But we'll roll with the punches. We have to.'' by CNB