Thomas “Tommy” Saliamonas lived his eighteen years with a bright spark in his eye and an unmistakable warmth in his heart. From the moment he was born on March 16, 2002, Tommy carried an adventurous, free-spirited energy that shaped the way he moved through the world. He loved being outdoors—snowboarding down fresh powder, hiking new trails, skateboarding with friends, biking through the mountains, or simply immersing himself in the beauty of nature. Wherever he went, Tommy sought connection. He had a natural ability to make others feel valued and included, always cheering for the underdog and always ready with a smile, a conversation, or a helping hand.
Family was the center of Tommy’s life. He shared a deep bond with his younger brother, Peter, who was his constant companion in childhood, adolescence, and every wild adventure the two dreamed up together. Tommy also held a special love for his grandparents, often spending hours listening to stories from their childhoods, helping around their homes, or just enjoying the comfort of their company. He had a rare gift for connecting with older generations, and his family imagines that when each of his grandparents passed in the years after him, Tommy was the first to greet them.
In school, Tommy was as curious as he was active. He wrestled, raced cross-country mountain bikes, and spent four years studying German—a passion that took him abroad the summer before his junior year as part of a student exchange program. He graduated from La Cañada High School on June 3, 2020, proud of what he had accomplished and excited for what might come next.
Tommy was full of life, full of heart, and full of compassion. He wore his emotions openly and lived without judgment. He was the kind of young man who would help an elderly stranger carry groceries, who would stand beside someone being left out, who would listen without rushing. He left people better than he found them, simply by being himself.
Tommy also struggled with addiction, a challenge that ultimately took his life on June 12, 2020—just one week after his high school graduation—due to fentanyl poisoning. His family chooses to remember him not for this moment, but for the eighteen beautiful years that came before it. He was loved deeply, and he loved deeply in return. Everyone who knew Tommy carries a story, a smile, a memory that still lingers and still brings both heartbreak and gratitude.
Today, Tommy’s spirit lives on in those who miss him—his mother, Stephanie; his father, John; his brother, Peter; his extended family; his friends; and all the people he touched with his kindness. His life continues to inspire compassion, connection, and awareness so that others might be spared the pain of losing someone so young, so loved, and so full of promise.
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