ABOUT TOMMY
Tommy was born on March 31st, 1982. He was proud of his Irish heritage and was actually due on St. Patrick’s Day. Tom has 2 older sisters, Tammy and Trisha whom he loved with all of his heart and never failed to tell them that. He was happy to finally have a brother in November of 2005 when Trisha married Brad. He would have been thrilled to know that Tammy and Anthony were married in March 2008. Tom enjoyed spending time with his many cousins and was honored to be close to many of them. Although he never met his four nephews, Jackson, Robby, Joey and Mick, or his niece Kinley, we know he is with them everyday watching them grow and learn.
As a child he was a mixture of Mama’s Boy and Daddy’s hunting & fishing buddy. He wasn’t afraid to pull a chair up and help Mom cook (he actually was a great cook) and he wasn’t afraid to go out in the garage and help Dad skin a deer. He loved to try new things and was always up for a new adventure.
Below is a an email Tom sent after he left for college:
To: Mom & Dad
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 11:58 AM
Hey guys, I wanted to write to thank you for everything you have done for me lately. Mom I know you have been patient with me and have handled me leaving really well, that I know of. You have stuck with me even though I might be changing a little because of school. If I do, I am sorry but I will always be your little boy. Dad thanks also for giving me the ability to experience life and give everything a try. I personally think a true man has witnessed and experienced as much as he physically can and is able to say “been there, done that”. I think that I get that from you because I see the different things you have done over the years and always keep your mind open to all ideas, even when they are dumb. I am really grateful for having parents that let me experience life instead of being a barrier in my life by telling me things that I can’t do. I think it is easy to take parents for granted because sometimes they just irritate teenagers more then anything. I will always love you guys and look back at what you guys have done for me over the years, making dreams seem closer then I think. Not too many Dads would give up times with their buddies to take there son hunting before I could even fire a weapon without falling over. Not too many Moms would keep their mouth shut when their baby is going to be a Marine and let them make there own decisions in life. I hope I live my life to the fullest and never take advantage of the parents I have been blessed with, also I hope I can let my kids someday experience as much of life as I have been able to so they are well rounded in all aspects of life. If I am half the parents you are I will be happy. love - Tom
This has become an inspiration as to what we want to do with this Foundation. To let children “experience as much of life” as Tommy was able to experience. He did not have kids of his own, but knowing the kind of person he was will guide us.
As a child he was a mixture of Mama’s Boy and Daddy’s hunting & fishing buddy. He wasn’t afraid to pull a chair up and help Mom cook (he actually was a great cook) and he wasn’t afraid to go out in the garage and help Dad skin a deer. He loved to try new things and was always up for a new adventure.
Below is a an email Tom sent after he left for college:
To: Mom & Dad
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 11:58 AM
Hey guys, I wanted to write to thank you for everything you have done for me lately. Mom I know you have been patient with me and have handled me leaving really well, that I know of. You have stuck with me even though I might be changing a little because of school. If I do, I am sorry but I will always be your little boy. Dad thanks also for giving me the ability to experience life and give everything a try. I personally think a true man has witnessed and experienced as much as he physically can and is able to say “been there, done that”. I think that I get that from you because I see the different things you have done over the years and always keep your mind open to all ideas, even when they are dumb. I am really grateful for having parents that let me experience life instead of being a barrier in my life by telling me things that I can’t do. I think it is easy to take parents for granted because sometimes they just irritate teenagers more then anything. I will always love you guys and look back at what you guys have done for me over the years, making dreams seem closer then I think. Not too many Dads would give up times with their buddies to take there son hunting before I could even fire a weapon without falling over. Not too many Moms would keep their mouth shut when their baby is going to be a Marine and let them make there own decisions in life. I hope I live my life to the fullest and never take advantage of the parents I have been blessed with, also I hope I can let my kids someday experience as much of life as I have been able to so they are well rounded in all aspects of life. If I am half the parents you are I will be happy. love - Tom
This has become an inspiration as to what we want to do with this Foundation. To let children “experience as much of life” as Tommy was able to experience. He did not have kids of his own, but knowing the kind of person he was will guide us.