Thomas Gordon Helmle

Thomas Gordon Helmle of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away suddenly at his home on May 20, 2018. Born in Bay Shore, Long Island on September 14, 1948 to the late Mary (Olalla) and Lawrence A. Helmle, the family moved upstate to Utica, NY when Tom was 11. He graduated from Notre Dame High School, received a Bachelors degree from Utica College, and a Master's degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. Tom went on to do additional postgraduate work earning a Certificate of Advanced Studies from SUNY Cortland. The early part of Tom's career was spent at Marcy psychiatric facility helping people with mental disabilities. After earning his Masters Degree, he was a social worker dedicated to helping young children in the Utica School system. He also served in the National Guard for 6 years. After retirement, he was able to split time in New York and Florida before ultimately moving to Florida full time in 2006. Tom and Mary (Kalk) were married on April 27, 1993. Besides his wife, Tom is survived by daughter Mary Pastora "Tori" Helmle of Bradenton, Florida, stepdaughters Tracy Buttera and husband, Dennis, of Atlanta, Georgia, Lauri Sidelko and wife, Sarah, of Orono, Maine and g...[more]

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dchildren Carson, Jaysa, Caylee, Darby, Owen, Emily, and Benjamin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Brain and Behavior Research foundation at https://www.bbrfoundation.org/. A celebration of his life is being planned for family and friends on June 16, 2018 from 2-5 pm at Michael T's restaurant in New Hartford, NY http://michaeltsrest.com/