Todd Christopher Woolsey

March 13, 1968 – May 13, 2024

Todd Woolsey died peacefully in his sleep, at home, in the early morning hours of Monday, May 13, 2024. His death was sudden and unexpected. A virtuoso drummer, he was highly sought after for decades, in the San Diego County music scene.

Todd was born in San Jose CA, the firstborn of Jack and Susan Woolsey. When Todd was a child, the family relocated to Chula Vista, CA, due to Jack’s service in the Navy. The family has lived in Chula Vista ever since. Todd attended Rosebank and Halecrest Elementary, then Hilltop Junior, Chula Vista High, and Hilltop High schools. After graduation from Hilltop High in 1986, Todd attended Southwestern junior college and San Diego State University, studying general education and music, and performing in the SDSU Marching Aztec Band. He worked at Price Club, which became Costco Wholesale, for 21 years, as a cart collector, stocker, and cashier.

Todd began playing drums at a very early age, under the tutelage of his father Jack, who himself was a very accomplished multi-genre drummer, keyboardist, and singer. By junior high, Todd had built a solid reputation as a drummer and percussionist, both in the school band and in the community. While at Hilltop Junior High, Todd was encouraged by his friend Royce Ferguson to audition for a position in the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), at Chula Vista High. To polish his skills and maximize his chances of landing the gig, Todd took drum lessons from Jon Szantos of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, at Harper’s Music Store. Not only was he accepted, but Todd also became the principal drummer for “The Main Attraction,” the SCPA’s musical theater group. He also started jamming with other high-caliber musicians in well- respected cover bands through high school. He went on to play and record with multiple local bands, doing covers and original material with the likes of Requiem Bleu, Rainbow Bridge, Emote, The Ugly Ones, The Sharts, Static Halo, Fuzz Huzzi, The Shambles, Steel Toe, The Crunch Tones, and Tommy Tutone. Todd continued to jam, and had plans for summer gigs, with his long-time “fun band,” The Sharts.

Todd was an honest, true friend, and a gentle soul. He loved music, his friends, and having a good time. He was very open minded and astute, and he was non-judgmental. He was trusting, almost to a fault. He was a good conversationalist, who would engage truthfully on any topic about which he knew something, while not afraid to admit ignorance. He was a proud, patriotic American, who was also proud of his Norwegian, Viking heritage. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Rock and Roll, and an incredible memory. Life events, movies, girls, school…. Get a couple of drinks in him, and the flood gates of stories would fly open.

The Mighty Todd (aka “Todd Monster,” and “Shaft”) was predeceased by his father Jack and his sister Marisa. He is survived by his mother Susan and his niece Miranda. His is a bitter, devastating loss to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.