Jersey Shore Drummer Tommy Mastro Has Died
Diagnosed in 2011 at age 47 with ALS, Mastro helped champion for a cure
Tommy Mastro [nee Mastrodicasa], a Jersey Shore drummer who grew up in Long Branch has died. His brother Mike Mastro posted the news via social media, saying:
This is Mike, Tommy’s brother writing to you. It’s with deep sadness and a broken heart that I have to let you know that Tommy passed away this morning. On behalf of his loving wife Yasmine and myself, we thank you all for your friendship and support through these very tough recent years. Tommy was the ultimate fighter as he battled every minute of every day for these past 6 years of this horrific disease known as ALS. We ask at this time for time to heal and tend to details with regard to our brother Tommy. He had a special love and friendship for each and every one of you, and that’s part of what made him such a special friend. I will follow up here again when I can. Until then, know that Tommy had a special place for you in his heart. Tommy would right now ask that you all love each other, enjoy life, and smile when you think of him. Mike Mastro.
Mastro was a part of the Jersey music scene for years, playing with many local bands, including Brian Kirk and the Jirks and Pat Roddy. He once opened for Bruce Springsteen at the Meadowlands and his band – The Discontent, shared the stage with the everyone from the Goo Goo Dolls and Dee Schneider to Joan Jett while on tour.
He also taught at the Musician’s Workshop in Manalapan for many years.
Mastro was diagnosed in 2011 at age 47 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, most commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. There is no cure for the progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Mastro, who was living in Nashville moved to Florida to be near family. In the years that followed, he helped champion for a cure and was featured in many ALS awareness and fundraising campaigns, including doing a 2014 video in support of the Ice Bucket Challenge.
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