Thomas B. 'Tom' Bracken

Mohawk, NY/Bluffton, SC-
Thomas Bradley Bracken, 70, of Bluffton, SC and a longtime Mohawk Valley resident passed away on August 5 at home with this family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Thomas was born on October 7, 1945 in Ilion, and was the ninth of eleven children of James Bracken, Jr and Mary (Booth) Bracken. He graduated from Ilion High School in 1963 and received his Bachelors Degree in Education from SUNY Brockport in 1967. He received his Masters Degree from SUNY Cortland. He married Carol L.(Chiarino) Bracken on February 10, 1968 at St. Bartholomew's Church in Norwich, NY.
Tom was a sixth grade teacher at Reese Road Elementary in Frankfort for many years and a basketball coach. He loved coaching and teaching but loved the kids more. His dedication to his students and players remained long after the school year or basketball season ended and he enjoyed lifelong relationships with many of them.
Sports played a major role in his life. He played basketball for many years and was proud to be a member of the Ilion High School basketball team that won back to back Section III championships. He was instrumental in founding a youth basketball league in Ilion in the early 1980s. Tom loved to play golf and participated in many leagues and tournaments. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family at Mohawk Valley Country Club in Little Falls, NY and Pinecrest Golf Club in Bluffton, SC. Tom was an avid fan of Syracuse University football and basketball.
He was active in his community, a member of the B.P.O.E. 1444 and Ilion Jaycees. Tom was always willing to lend a hand to any person or organization who needed him, but never wanted any attention for his deeds. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk. Tom was proud Irishman and will be remembered for quick smile, sharp wit and dry sense of humor.
Thomas is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Carol, and dedicated daughter and son-in-law Mary Lou and Gregory Notaro. He had two grandchildren, Patrick and Sara Notaro, to whom he was a devoted and adored Poppy. He is survived by two sisters, Bernadette Bracken and Suzanne Grainger and her husband Paul, of Ilion, and three brothers, George Bracken and his wife Carol of Herkimer, Robert Bracken and his wife Gail of Ilion, and William Bracken of Waterford. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Esther Bracken, Linda Delfs, Joanna Chiarino, and Mary Ann Taylor and her husband Radcliffe, and many nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Mary Wood, Patricia Burm, Nancy Bracken, and Barbara Whitfield, and his brother James Bracken III. He was also predeceased by his father and mother in law, Louis and Mary Chiarino, and his brothers-in-law Adolph Chiarino, Jack Wood, Marvin Burm, and Lorenzo Whitfield.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, August 16 at 10am at Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk, which will celebrated by Reverend Mark Cunningham, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director. Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 15 from 4pm to 7pm at Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. In lieu of flowers, as an expression sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Blessed Sacrament Church, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Tom never gave up, he just ran out of time.
To send an online condolence please go to www.whiter-hendrix.com .


Visitation

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, August 15, 2016

Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc.
100 Otsego St.
Ilion
13357