Thomas Crail; W. Hollywood Chamber Head
Thomas Michael Crail, executive director of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, has died of the complications from AIDS. He was 41.
Crail, who had also served as chairman of the West Hollywood Transportation Commission, died Saturday at his home in West Hollywood.
Among his promotional projects for the civic booster organization were West Hollywood’s Mardi Gras and Bastille Day observances. He also created the West Hollywood Leadership Council, the Santa Monica Boulevard Assn. and the Avenues of Design Assn. In transportation, he was a proponent of the Sunset Shuttle, a nationally recognized pioneering effort in short-haul urban transport.
A native of Charleston, Ill., Crail was educated at the University of Washington. In Seattle, he performed with and later managed the American Contemporary Dance Company.
Crail moved to Los Angeles in 1988 to help establish the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Last year, he was given the city of West Hollywood’s extraordinary service award.
Crail is survived by his parents, J. P. and Merlene Crail; sisters Sabina McNutt and Tamara Crail, and brothers Bill and Jim Crail.
A celebration of his life is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday in William S. Hart Park, West Hollywood.
The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to Los Angeles’ Project Angel Food or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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