Tommy Bryan Memorial Fund

Tommy Bryan has always been a believer in the power of new beginnings.

Maybe its because (for better or for worse) his life has been full of them.

When Tommy was 7 years old, his mom Ernie married Joe Lazzarino- and that new beginning brought him a stepfather, three new siblings (Jim, Annie, and Liz), and a new life in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The beginning of a whirlwind 70’s childhood, with a big, Italian family at the helm. (Ask any of them- it’s a miracle they all survived!) Tommy graduated from Land O lakes high school in 1987.

In his mid-30’s, life brought Tommy another brand new beginning: his son, Aaron was born. As a single dad and Aaron’s only caregiver… Tommy’s biggest and only priority was to make sure that Aaron was safe, loved, and protected. To that goal, He spent most of his career working as a butcher for Publix Supermarkets until his poor health pushed him to retire early. With his career coming to a close, and the safety of their neighborhood declining, it was almost time for another new beginning for Tommy and Aaron.

In Spring of 2017, Tommy, Aaron and their dogs packed up everything they owned, and set out for the Lazzarino family property in Acra, New York. Hidden away on the side of a mountain, away from the hustle of city life, a cabin full of childhood memories (and more than a few mice) awaited them. As children, Tommy, his older brother Andy, and all three Lazzarino siblings spent countless hours and decades of summers soaking up the solitude of the little mountain home. As far as new beginnings go, it was the perfect place to “come home” and start over.

Over the past few years, Tommy and Aaron dedicated their time and energy to renovating and restoring the old cabin, as well as running a small firewood and wood carving business. As with most artists, the boys found the solitude the perfect place to create beauty and hone their craft. Along with their faithful pup, Riley, they found their niche and place in the mountains.

Unfortunately, life has a way of sometimes bringing us beginnings to journeys that we never expected. In 2019, Tommy was diagnosed with Melanoma- a cancer that he has battled the last two years of his life. The journey has not been easy, lovely, or fair…but Tommy has kept a sense of hope and humor that has inspired everyone in his circle. Even in times of excruciating pain and hardship, he has kept his eyes on his life’s goal: To provide for his only son. To instill in him a hope for new beginnings.

Never wavering in his commitment to new adventures, Tommy accepted Christ and was baptized by his brother Jimmy on June 6, 2021, in the misty hours of the morning. He braved the icy waters of the mountain stream they played in as kids- to have one, last, true new beginning.

Now, as Tommy faces the end of his life- his family and loved ones are collecting funds to further his hopes and dreams for his son Aaron. In the wake of long term illness and medical expenses, Tommy’s legacy has been one of love and sacrifice, but monetary savings have withered away. Funds raised will go to not only helping Aaron begin his new life in Florida with his Uncle Andy (Tommy’s older brother), but also to help him finish the last two years of high school without monetary need. A promising artist, our dream is to see Aaron graduate high school, and to move into adulthood using his talents and gifts to honor the memory of his dad, Tommy.

Who taught him the power of starting a new adventure.