(February 24, 2004) -- Tommy Tuchscher, who for over a decade regaled LB City Council meetings with his opinions on many topics, has passed away.

Mr. Tuchscher (pronounced "Too-shayr") died February 20 after a lengthy illness.

Another frequent Council communicator, Thomas Murphy, 87, was saddened to hear of his friend's passing. "I just spoke with Tommy a few days ago and his voice sounded pretty weak," Mr. Murphy said.

During the 1990s, Mr. Tuchscher's melodious baritone regularly filled the Council Chamber on agenda and non-agendized items. He had been less visible in recent months due to ill health. For a time, Mr. Murphy gave him rides to the Council meetings...and the pair knew each other before then.

"When I owned 'Murphy's,' a restaurant at Willow St. and Long Beach Blvd., Tommy and my son would razz me. They'd lift steaks from the restaurant's frigidaire, take them home and cook them," Mr. Murphy recalled.

Mr. Murphy said Mr. Tuchscher also had a carpenter's shop and made dog houses. "He sold thousands and they were darn good. Everybody had one," Mr. Murphy said.

Years later, Mr. Murphy said he ran into Mr. Tuchscher at a Council meeting that Mr. Murphy was attending to discuss a device he'd invented to remove debris from the L.A. river before it reached LB's beaches.

After officialdom gave Mr. Murphy's device what amounted to a cold shoulder, Mr. Tuchscher urged Mr. Murphy to come back and discuss other things at City Council meetings. The rest is history.

During the 1990s and until about a year ago, Mr. Tuchscher regularly attended Council meetings and spoke on just about everything.

"He was a person who stuck to his guns at the City Council," said NLB activist Norma Mower, another frequent Council speaker of the time.

"There aren't many of us left," said Mr. Murphy...who on Feb. 17, 2004 again addressed the Council about his river debris removal device, again to no apparent avail.

Mr. Tuchscher leaves a daughter, a son and grandchildren.

Viewing is scheduled Feb. 24 at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave. from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mass: Wednesday Feb. 25 at 11:00 a.m., also at the mortuary. Interment to follow at All Souls Cemetery.