Thomas Ross Pleasant III, 59, machinist and musician

Thomas Ross Pleasant III, 59, of Southwest Philadelphia, a machinist and musician, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, of cancer at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospice in Darby Borough.

Mr. Pleasant was born in West Philadelphia to Thomas Pleasant Jr. and Joyce C. Pleasant Lisby.

He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, was a regular churchgoer as an adolescent, and, after a hiatus, rededicated himself to his Christian faith.

Mr. Pleasant graduated from the Parkway Program in the School District of Philadelphia and enrolled in Cheyney University, which led to an apprenticeship at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Apprenticeship Academy. While there, Mr. Pleasant learned to be a machinist.

He worked at the trade from 1983 until the shipyard closed in 1996. Two years later, Mr. Pleasant landed a job as a machinist with the Philadelphia School District and continued working there until retiring in 2014.

In his spare time, Mr. Pleasant read widely and amassed a sizable private library. He expressed his creativity through music,  playing drums for several local bands.

He also enjoyed listening to music from throughout the African diaspora, including the work of jazz and reggae performers.

"He was a very nice, intelligent person," said niece Toi Snipes. "If anybody needed help, he would stop and turn on a dime and help them."

In addition to his father, mother, and niece, he is survived by a sister; a nephew; and his friend Edwina Hawthorne, who was with him throughout his six-month illness, his family said.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Francis Funeral Home, 5201 Whitby Ave. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to benefit musical programs for children at the Settlement Music School, Box 63966, Philadelphia 19147.