Tom Mudra was a Founding Member, active Master Docent, and guiding spirit of Explore Buffalo. Tom hosted some of Explore Buffalo’s founding meetings around his dining room table, and was a board member from 2014 to 2021. Explore Buffalo honored Tom with the Spirit of Explore Buffalo award in 2023: “for always guiding Explore Buffalo forward with a spirit of camaraderie, openness, and adventure, with a reminder to always have fun (and not work too hard).” 

As an Explore Buffalo docent, Tom enjoyed leading tours of downtown architecture, particularly City Hall, the Buffalo waterfront, and his childhood neighborhood of Black Rock. Tom was a beloved docent for hundreds of students who enjoyed his tours that captured their attention with Tom’s booming voice and trademark hats. For many years, Tom taught and mentored dozens of new docents in Explore Buffalo’s docent training classes.

Whether he was dressed up as Santa Claus, Grover Cleveland, or himself, Tom was a fixture at Explore Buffalo events, where we could always count on his voice to quiet the crowd for speakers. Tom was well known for donating his remarkable cooking skills to Explore Buffalo’s annual galas, hosting elaborate dinner parties for winning bidders.

Tom’s dedication to our organization in its early years is an essential piece of our founding story. We are deeply grateful for all that Tom brought to Explore Buffalo as a Founding Member, Master Docent, Board Member, mentor and friend. Tom will be deeply missed by all at Explore Buffalo.

Donations in memory of Tom can be made using the form below, or by check payable to Explore Buffalo, mailed to Explore Buffalo, 1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY 14201. Please include “In memory of Tom Mudra” on the memo line of the check.