When fellow eighth-grader, and one of Thomas’s best friends, Thomas Chin, suggested dedicating St. Elizabeth’s gym in Thomas’s honor, it seemed like the perfect tribute, Lisa said. Through the newly created foundation, SEAS Thomas Reynolds, Lisa and St. Elizabeth’s were able to raise enough money to donate a new scoreboard for the gymnasium. The scoreboard reads, “Thomas Reynolds gymnasium.” The St. Elizabeth community and Thomas’s classmates and friends spent the dedication celebrating Thomas’s memory and partaking in one of his favorite pastimes –– a game of basketball. Lisa said the afternoon couldn’t have been a better reflection of who Thomas was and what he meant to those fortunate enough to know him. “He had a really great group of friends, and they loved him,” Lisa said.

Thomas’s loved ones said they hope to grow his foundation to be able to give even more to the community that meant so much to the 13-year-old. Lisa said she hopes they will eventually collect enough donations to fund research for ependymoma brain tumors; few grants exist for the condition because it is difficult to treat, Lisa said. The family also plans to use the foundation for scholarships for graduating eighth-graders at St. Elizabeth’s. Additionally, Lisa said she hopes to find a way to develop a program where sick children would receive visits from volunteers while at the hospital. Lisa said that whenever Thomas went for treatments at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, he was upset if he saw children enduring a treatment alone; he wanted others to have the same comfort that his family gave him.

His concern for others was one of Thomas’s strongest qualities, Lisa said. As he got sicker, he became less afraid of death, but more concerned about what would happen to the family he left behind.

“Thomas was one that wanted to make sure that everybody else was good and OK and didn’t like when others struggled,” Lisa said. “He took his last breath the way that he lived, with grace, calmly and peacefully.”

If you wish to contribute to the foundation, call St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School at (516) 785-5709 and mention Thomas’s Foundation.