Thomas Burley - Firefighter - New York State

Firefighter Thomas Burley, age 20, died on June 18, 2013, at a hospital in Lewiston, New York.

Thomas was a member of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Department.

He was riding his motorcycle home from his first day of orientation for accelerated firefighter training at the Public Safety Training Tower in Lockport, when a crash occurred at about 9 p.m.

It is believed that Thomas may have crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, but this is uncertain as of this posting.

Tom graduated from Lewiston-Porter High School in 2011. He wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. Tom was involved in athletics and Junior ROTC, the law enforcement Explorers and the volunteer fire department, and was training to be a paramedic.  He had worked in security at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

Officials at Explorers Post said Tom was enthusiastic about the program, attaining the rank of corporal and then returning after his basic training in the military to become an adviser.

They also stated that he was well liked, approachable and a go-to guy.

Friends stated that for a young man who is only 20 years old, he spent a lot of his life serving his community and other people.

Tom wanted to be a cop and the Lewiston Police Department stated that there will

Saint Florian, Patron
Saint of Firefighters,
pray for Tom

always be a seat in their patrol cars for Tom.

Tom is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his mother, Kathleen A. Forti; his father, Timothy A. Burley; two brothers, Brian M. Forti and Samuel Forti; and three sisters, Kristina E. Burley, Patricia Burley and Sara Hendrick.

This accident scene has been the site of several fatal crashes recently. Maybe...it is time that New York State highway engineers review this stretch of highway with a view to making it survivable and safe.

Thank you for serving your community, Tom.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen.

Pray that Thomas is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.