Rochester, NY: Suddenly, March 4, 2019. For thirty-six years, he was a wonderful son, and brother. He excelled at art, music, computers, both hardware and software, and he possessed a wry sense of humor and love for animals. He is survived by his father and mother, Stephen and Maureen Van Buren, his sister, Suzanne, (LeBaron) Van Buren and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His presence in our lives will be dearly missed.
A celebration of his life will be held at his parents’ home in Webster, 2 PM to 5 PM, March 16, 2019. Friends and family are all welcome. Donations in his name may be made to East House, 259 Monroe Avenue, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14607 or Lollypop Farm 99 Victor Road Fairport, NY 14450.
Maureen, Steve , Susie and LeBaron, and everyone who loved Tom,
My love and prayers are being sent out to you.
With deep sadness, Randy Bradshaw
Tom was one of the most brilliant people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He was so smart and funny and sweet. Tom got me through a really hard time in my life with his humour and kindness. I hope he finally has peace. He will be missed greatly.
Willie and I are grieving with you. To lose a child under any circumstances is too much to take in and absorb without the comforting love of family and friends. We send ours to you and to Suzanne.
Jane and Willie Libertore
Maureen and Steve,
Our hearts are broken for your loss. We never had the opportunity to meet Tom, but h seemed like a wonderful person. May you find peace in remembering his love. Prayers and thoughts to all of you.
Love,
Kim and John Kleaka
Tom was funny, sensitive, brilliant, and could articulate the stuff I never could about what it means to be a soulful, authentic human in a harsh and perplexing world. From his brash, bright laugh to his sensitive perceptions to his loving kindness to the creatures in the world, Tom was an amazing human being. He was my teacher in being real and friend who understood, I extend my deepest sympathies to all of his family.. Tom’s not suffering now. I wish I were less selfish and that were more comforting. I pray it will be.
My sympathies to the family. Tom was nothing but kind and sweet when I knew him. And so, so talented. Fate took us down different paths but I always hoped and prayed the best for him.
My sincere condolences to all of Tom’s family and friends. Despite the distance that had grown between us after heading different directions following high school, I am grieving for this loss. Growing up in Webster, Tom was a good friend and fellow member of a band. We wrote music together, recorded and performed together, and I greatly enjoyed his art (and uncanny knowledge of Simpsons episodes), I truly looked up to him as an idol although I may have lacked the maturity to express it sufficiently at the time. I wouldn’t know the name Matteo Carcassi if it wasn’t for him teaching me how to play some of his music. I’m extremely grateful for having known him.
I am so so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am grieving with you as you endure this unimaginable loss.
My sincerest sympathy,
Mel Wilson
Maureen, Steve, Suzie and LeBaron – my heart feels for. you so deeply!
Our thoughts are with you and your family Lebaron. Let us know of anything we can do. Love Rocky and Nicole
Our most sincere condolences for your loss. We will remember Tom as the nice and talented young man that he was. Having spent some time with him I never heard him say a cross word about anyone or anything. Our hearts go out to each of you.
May God Bless You, Maureen, Steve, Susie and Lebaron, with an abundance of delightful memories to help you find peace even if a tear may fall. You gave him the best family life possible full of love, patience and delightful traveling experiences. Losing a child is a parent’s worse devastating nightmare! Our love and prayers,
Carl & Kathy
Maureen and family,
May the love and strength of God, family, friends and knowing your son is at peace, pull you through this difficult time in your life.
My thoughts and my prayers go out to you and your family.
Love,
Lorena Libertore Hastings
Dear Maureen and Steve I am so sorry for your loss.May God help you get thru this difficult time and may Tom rest in peace.
We are so ver sorry for the loss of Tom , he was a good friend of my son Ron , He was a very kind young man and I remember how he loved animals, May God give all of you the strength to carryon God bless all of you
Dearest Maureen, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your son Tom. I know all too well the pain and sadness you and your family must be feeling right now as you come to terms with trying to cope with the loss and somehow saying goodbye to a child gone way before their time . I can only tell you that I wish you all prayers of comfort as you try to put one foot in front of the other as you travel down this new path without Tom. May his memories comfort you on your worst of days. He lives on in your hearts forever ❤️
Dear Maureen and Steve- my heart breaks for the loss of your Tom. We never met but reading about him from others posts says what a special man you were blessed with as a son. With love Tracey and Elliott I am sorry we won’t be able to join you on Saturday but would love to come together at another time.
May you be comforted at this tragically sad time by the 36 years of memories Tom created with you, your families and friends. We knew him only as an adult through his friendship with our son; he was wildly creative, always looking for new challenges, had diverse interests, was very articulate on a broad variety of topics, and was a huge animal and nature lover. We will surely miss his visits to our home.
I a
To my best friend, and cohort at PWC and Shumway; he was more than simply my best friend, he was: a loyal confidante, a brother in arms, and my most trusted mentor. The best guitarist I’ve ever known, so much so that only an 8-strimg guitar would compliment, 6-strings just wasn’t enough.
An expert at whatever he set his mind to, he was a well-respected horticulturist, an expert guitarist, a multi-talented artist and well-versed in computers and electronics.
Forever in my fondest memories;
Love persevering;
Keith I.