Goodbye, Tommy

I just found out tonight that my friend Tom passed away recently. I talked to him the day he died. He was a really nice guy, and him and I kept in touch over the years. His death makes me very sad, and everything about it makes very little sense. Bye, Tom. :(

Picture taken at Forked Lake September 1, 2007 by me.

Obituary.

Thomas R. ‘‘Tommy’’ Leone
POSTED: September 23, 2009

Thomas R. ''Tommy'' Leone, 24, of 13 Toledo Place, Buffalo, N.Y., passed away in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

He was born June 5, 1985, in Dunkirk, N.Y., a son of Thomas A. Leone of Ashville, N.Y., and Sharon Bull Stevens of Fredonia, N.Y.

He was baptized and confirmed from the Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church.

Thomas was a 2003 graduate of Jamestown High School, where he participated in soccer, swim team and the a capella choir. He also attended Jamestown Community College, Alfred State College and earned his bachelor's degree in business with a concentration in financial analysis from the University at Buffalo School of Business Management. He was also a member of the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi, Alpha Kappa Chapter.

He was currently employed by the Bank of America, and had also worked at Wegmans on Sheridan Drive in Buffalo, and at Wegmans in West Ellicott during his college years.

Surviving besides his father and mother are his "Mom," Laura R. Leone of Ashville; four sisters: Christina L. (Carl) Olson of Gerry, Angela M. (Jason Basile) Leone of James-town, Samantha R. Leone of Ashville, and Nicole L. Stevens of Fredonia; two brothers: Paul S. Velzy and Brad Stevens, both of Fredonia. His paternal grandparents Russell Leone of Fredonia, Judith Leone of Dunkirk; his maternal grandparents Dale and Rita Kester of Ashville, and Lynn and Shirley Bull of Fredonia; and a nephew, Carson T. Olson of Gerry.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church. The Rev. Rick LaDue, pastor, and the Rev. Arthur McElheny, retired pastor and family friend will officiate. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.