Thomas D. Burress, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 16th, at the age of 71.

Tom was a dear friend to many. Tom was born in Peekskill, NY to the late Oscar and Helen Burress. Syracuse has been Tom’s home for the past 50 years, after relocating from the Peekskill area. Tom will be remembered as a quiet and shy gentleman, with a generous heart, quick with a grin and a joke. Tom lived an active life and was always giving to others. As a young boy, Tom served as an altar boy, as a young man Tom worked in some restaurants and later worked on the farms that supplied the food to the old state school, driving the tractors and other farm equipment. Tom worked at Syracuse Developmental Center in the STORES department and had some strong friendships with people in that department, work control, and Gateway’s cleaning crew. A fun fact not known by many was that Tom was an accomplished billiards player, winning many awards. Tom was always willing to help others, from cooking, cleaning, grilling at a team or department BBQ and would help anyone. In 1988/89 while living at Onondaga IRA, Tom noticed black smoke coming from the apartment building next door. He called the police and all 8 people evacuated safely. In 2012 while living at the DePalma IRA, a supported apartment, he witnessed his housemate getting stabbed multiple times, and saved his life by pulling him several yards into the home and called 911. Tom was recognized and honored at the 2012 Annual Self Advocacy Conference in Albany that fall. To know Tom Burress is to love him. Tom will be deeply missed, and will never be forgotten.

Tom is survived by his brother, John Burress.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday April 22nd, 10am-12pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals with a service to follow. Burial will take place in Valley Cemetery.

To view a live strem of the service, Click here

To share a memory of Tom, please click the Share Memories button above.