Memorial Fund for Tommy Vachon

First of all, we would like to offer thanks for taking the time to view this campaign. My name is Lynn Vachon and I have started this fundraiser on behalf of our family to honor our son's spirit and wishes and to allow us to fund a Celebration of Life event for family and friends to come together to grieve and share memories of Tommy .              •Tommy"s Journey• On August 9, 2018, our son and brother. Thomas Jacques Vachon (Tommy) died suddenly but peacelly after a long , fierce battle with depression and addiction. Although he struggled with depression and addiction for most of his adult life; he always tried to fight his way out of his own internal suffering. Even when he felt like giving up on liviing; he continued his fight to live. Except for the very brief but intense relapse that ultimately took his life; Tommy was 18 months free of heroin. At the time of his passing, Tommy had sucessfully and consistently created a content and meaningful life in recovery from depression and gained freedom from the drugs that enslaved his life. Tommy grew up in Lunenburg MA and attended school there until transferring to the Gateway to College program at Mt. Wachusett Community College earning his High School Diploma as well as college credits. As a youth he enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, golf and especially skateboarding. Most recently he enjoyed spending time in nature and aspired to attend college in the fall to earn a degree in Horiculture and Sustainable Agriculture. As an skilled green thumb, he never met a plant that he didn't like and consequently plants loved him right back! He was dedicated and committed to working on his physical, emotional, and especially his spiritual well being. He was sucessfully becoming the change he wanted to see in the world. He was an avid seeker of knowledge and wisdom. He loved and deeply appreciated both art and the artist. He began exploring his own artistic expression. Tommy was an old soul who was wise beyond his 26 years. He could light up a room with his smile and fill it with the most inspiring energy. Those who knew him understand that he was a warrior, philosopher and leader. He embraced his complicated experiences and suffering and utilized them to become happy and healthy. He enjoyed the clarity of mind his strong intellect and spirit thrived on! He shared his experiences to connect and assist loved ones and strangers to heal and cope. He offered kind words and sage advice to help alleviate the suffering of others within their own internal journeys. His motto was to always "Plant the Seed" of hope and love. Honoring Tommy's Journey and Spirit: Although the devastation and pain of losing Tommy's presence in our lives is a tragedy filled with brutal iorny; we will be forever grateful and proud of the profound transformation he had achieved and that he was able to experience a life that he felt was worth living. He was more than just a loving son and brother to us. He was our friend and hope. He was truly a Pheonix! Due to the suddenness of his passing, our family regretfully requires assistance raising funds in order to honor his life and death properly and with dignity. The funds we raise will be used for funeral and service expenses, to fund a charitable donation to memorialize Thomas with a stone and plaque at The Wells Reserve and Landhoulm Farm, and expenses associated with with placement of his remains. *Learn more about this special place that Tommy loved here: https://www.wellsreserve.org/about-us/wells-reserve-and-laudholm-trust This process of creating this campaign and telling Tommy's story has difficult and healing all at the same time..... Grieving a child and brother is the hardest experience we have endured (both individually and collectively as a family.... (and those of you familiar with our family's hardships know we have experienced our fair share). Lacking the financial means to honor our son and brother properly is humbling to say the least. We thank you all in advance for allowing us to seek your help. Please help our family by supporting this fundraising campaign to not only help us honor his life, spirit and memory but continue Tommy's passion to make the world a better place. Keep Tommy's journey alive by mindfully projecting love for ourselves, one another, and Mother Nature! **** How you can help ***** * Donate to this campaign * Share this fundraiser on social media * Do your part to protect and care for Mother Nature! * Tell your story (if you have one) regarding addiction's impact on your life to END THE STIGMA ! * Save a life! Learn how to spot and respond to an overdose. This epidemic affects all of us! * Be Kind! Remember you never know what any given person at any given time is going through! Aspire to always be kind!