Thomas I. Bacon

Thomas Ives Bacon was greeted by his mother's loving arms in heaven on Saturday,
April 25th at 12:20 am on what would have been her 84th birthday.

Born on January 9th, 1966 to Rosemary and Arthur Bacon in Elizabethtown, NY, it would
soon be discovered that he was severely mentally retarded. “Tommy” was an endearing,
graceful challenge and beautiful child to all that knew and loved him. The challenges were too
daunting for his biological father and Art and Rosemary were divorced in 1970.
Then, in 1972, Tommy received a new father who would love and support him with the best
of his abilities and his whole heart. Charles J. Finnerty. This man became known as Daddy to
Tommy and his four siblings. Charlie had two children of his own and his hands full and, with
the help of his new wife, they started a new life.
Tommy shared the same love of music, love and laughter as his siblings and parents and
soon became adept at “ borrowing “ his brothers albums and his fathers record player.
This behavior garnered him his very own record player and the donation of a few albums
from his brothers David and Philip. Then the searching for records at garage sales was
undertaken by everyone in the family who happened to be aware of his new found hobby.
Tommy enjoyed music by The Who, Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night and others but most
notably John Denver. He would watch any television show that had musical entertainment and
his favorite was The Lawrence Welk Show because it was non stop music, just like him.
He was enthralled with large family gatherings and family reunions because there was always
plenty of music from most of his aunts and uncles and cousins and brothers and sisters. Tommy
treasured sitting next to Grandpa and Grandma at the gatherings. He loved going to church and
hearing that choir sing and Grandpa was the minister, the Reverend Paul W. Ives. On occasion
he would get to hear his mother and her sisters sing hymns up front and center while he held
grandmas hand. (basically she had to hold his hand, otherwise he would have run up front to
get hugs). He loved unconditionally as he knew no other love.
Though Tommy had lived in other facilities for the developmentally disabled, he spent the
last 10 years of his life at the Corinth IRA. Surrounded by people who loved and cared for him
daily. He loved the outings to record stores and shopping for clothes. His brother, Philip would
bring him new records or cds on a weekly basis, a role he gladly assumed when it became
impossible for his parents to do so. Philip arranged for visits with mommy and daddy while they
lived at The Eddy in Troy. When he was younger “go see your brother “ meant a visit for coffee
and laughter.
As a testament to Tommy’s far reaching love, many of the staff who cared for Tommy came
to the Saratoga Hospital ICCU to see Tommy during his last three weeks of life. Even folks from
other houses where had lived previously took the time to visit with him .
Tommy was preceded by is grand parents, Paul and Gerry Ives, parents Charlie and
Rosemary and his step brother, Roger Finnerty. Tommy is survived by his sisters Shelly,
Elizabeth and step sister, Patty, and his brothers, Philip and David and many cousins , nieces
and nephews. The Ives Clan is a large one indeed.
Brother David came to see him and Brother Philip held his hand as he passed.
Tommy will be celebrated at 2:00pm, May 29th at Luzerne Cemetery. Please come for songs and prayers and hugs.

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