For those of you who never had the opportunity to meet Tom, here's a little bit about him...

He was born on September 29, 1969, and grew up in Westwood, Massachusetts with his mother, Marie, and grandmother, Philomena. At Westwood High School, Tom was very involved in student government and athletics, participating in baseball, football, and track. He excelled academically, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Not only was Tom well-rounded, he was well-liked by all of his classmates and teachers.

Voted "Most Talkative" by his classmates senior year, "Mitta" found humor in just about everything.  He was the type of person who never had a bad word to say about others, and seemed to find the good quality in everyone. He graduated Westwood High in 1987, and that fall he enrolled at Boston College to study Economics.

When Tom went to Boston College, he quickly made many new friends because of his great personality and friendliness.  Everyone who knew him at BC remembers his thoughtfulness and good nature.  He was always willing to lend a hand and make time for others, whether it was to offer them a ride or offer them his view of the most recent Red Sox game.  He never turned down a friend . . . or a good time!

During the summer of 1990 as Tom was entering his senior year, he was diagnosed with lymphoma.  The cancer spread quickly, and Tom passed away on January 11, 1991. Tommy's mother Marie received an honorary degree for Tom from the college, and upon its presentation the entire Class of '91 gave Tom the most heartfelt and emotional standing ovation.

Tom was a true friend to many, and he touched the lives of all who had the good fortune of knowing him. Although he is missed dearly by friends and family, the scholarship and fundraising activities that have been planned over the past few years have been a way for everyone to keep his spirit alive and to remember all the laughter that he brought to everyone during his lifetime.

Click here to read an article written about Tom in the Boston College newspaper