Tom Barbera, owner and chief mechanic of East Fork Pro Marine in Hamlin, is well-known in local boating and fishing worlds. For years, he has skillfully repaired community boats including the many fishing vessels that travel Sandy Creek. One customer remarked, “Tom is that guy who puts the personal and trustworthy touch into his work.” Charter Captains, whose livelihoods depend on their boats, can always count on him to fix what’s wrong and get them back on the water quickly.
For the past three and a half years, Tom has been fighting a rare disease called Cardiac Sarcoidosis. This condition can eventually lead to heart failure, as it did in his case. In 2014, he received an implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator to help correct abnormal heart rhythms. While that allowed him to continue working for a while, repeated powerful shocks to his heart left him tired and weak.
In 2016, Tom received a Syncardia artificial heart at Strong Memorial Hospital. He continued to work through the summer boating season, carrying his “heart” around with him in a back pack. One could hear the “swish swish” of the machine as he went about his business.
Tom will ultimately need a heart transplant. In September he was admitted to Strong to await a donor heart. While he has received remarkable care in the hospital, this battle has taken Tom away from his daughter and his business and has put emotional and financial strain on him and on his family. Now, it’s the community’s turn to give back to Tom and help him.
A music fest to benefit Tom, “Have a Heart for Tommy,” will be held Sunday, April 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Braddock Bay Tavern and Grill in Hilton. Musical groups include the Dady Brothers, Chris Wilson, and the Brothers Blue. 13WHAM Meteorologist, Scott Hetsko, who suffered from the same heart condition and received a donor heart in 2015, will also attend the benefit in support of Tom’s fight.
While raising money and showing love for Tom, the event will also raise awareness of the great need for organ donors in New York State, which has the lowest organ donor enrollment of any state in the country.
Join for music, raffles, silent auction and fun. Tickets cost $25 and are available at any Dady Brothers show; by email at dadybros@gmail.com; and at the Braddock Bay Tavern and Grill, 372 Manitou Road, Hilton. Children under 12 are free. Donations can also be made at www.gofundme/ Thomas Barbera “Tommy Medical Fund” or by check payable to “Thomas Barbera” c/o Lynn Barbera, 159C Wishing View Drive, Webster NY 14580.
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