Thomas Peter Bresser
September 3, 1968 to July 31, 2009
Tom was born on Sept. 3, 1968 in Riverside, California. He was the third son and sixth child born to Bob and Marina Bresser. He was such a delightful little boy, with his dimples, curly hair, sparkling blue eyes and an infectious smile. At the age of three, he moved with his family to Susanville, Ca., and then up to Smithers, B.C., in 1979. In Smithers, he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School up to grade eight, and that year he won the awards for best one at math and sports.
At the age of 19 he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was the same year that his older brother, who also had schizophrenia, died. Tom loved the fishing trips he took with his dad and two older brothers. Tom spent his last few years living in Prince George, B.C. He talked to his mom at least twice a week, and we know he wanted to better his life. Tom was a devoted Catholic and often prayed and asked his mom to pray for him.
Tom loved to joke around and play games. When he was about five years old, he looked out the window and it was hailing, and he said “Look, Mom, God popped his bean bag.” Tom had a witty sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. He was very generous and always eager to share anything he had. Tom was a natural guitar player.
Tom is dearly loved and is at peace in the house of our Lord.
Tom is survived by:
Parents: Bob and Marina Bresser of Smithers
Siblings: Lori Kampf of Kamloops, Lynn Bresser of Telkwa, Todd (Diana) Bresser of Telkwa, Leslie Bresser of Telkwa.
Nephews and nieces: Jason Danner, Natiea Vinson, Leayra Donaldson, Renesha Bresser, Jeremy Beaubien, Clayton Beaubien, Laura Beaubien, Rebecca Beaubien, Desiree Olson, Danielle Olson, Dallas Olson, Levi Olson
Great nieces: Sarabel Danner, Clare Beaubien, Holly Beaubien
Tom was predeceased by his siblings Ted Bresser in 1987 and Lisa Beaubien in 2005.
He will be missed by his parents, siblings, related family, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Schizophrenia Society of Bulkley Valley – Smithers Branch, Box 3603, Smithers, B.C., V0J 2N0, Attn: Toby Coupe.
Jesus spoke, I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Don’t Turn Your Back
Don’t turn your back on my brother
just because he does not fit into your world.
His torment is real
and he would change it if he could.
His illness is not something you can see
but it is real, all too real, nonetheless
and the boy we know is lost to us.
Like a missing child the pain never dies
but haunts us with hopes that some day
we will find him again.
I can’t desert him. He is my brother
and he is the same brother that held my hand
when we laughed and ran through the flowers
in the meadow at my grandmother’s farm.
And he still loves children, and he still loves cats.
He still loves hotdogs, and he still has feelings.
And he has never known the love of a woman
or the joy of being free to follow a dream
and make it come true.
My brother’s suffering and my mother’s tears
have given me the courage
to ask you to listen and learn.
If you take the time to understand
you can make his world a less painful place.
Barbar Bingham
Thank you to all those in our community who reached out to us with prayers food and flowers. Special thanks to the Catholic Women’s League for preparing the reception. Thanks also to Fr. Rector and Mary Spicer and to Al Schrader.
The Bresser family