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Thomas Helms Obituary
Thomas John Helms
April 27, 1946 - June 23, 2022
LONG LAKE - Thomas John Helms, 76, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2022, at Albany Medical Center after a short battle with Acute Myleloid Leukemia, surrounded by his wife and three sons.
Tom, as he was called, was born in Plattsburgh, NY, on April 27, 1946, to the late Herbert and Helen (Lane) Helms. He graduated from Long Lake Central School in 1963 and earned his Bachelor and Master's degree in Mathematics from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.
He served as a Russian linguist in the United States Army earning the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge (M14 Rifle), as well as the Good Conduct Medal prior to his honorable discharge from active duty on October 24, 1969.
He married the former Julia Sandiford on June 9, 1973, and they resided in Long Lake, NY, since 1977.
Tom was the owner and operator of Helms Aero Service in Long Lake. He spent almost 50 years flying sightseers, hunters, and fishermen in the Adirondack Mountains alongside his father and, recently, his son Tom. In addition, he was a member of the faculty and staff at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, in the early 1980s, and owned a small computer consulting firm in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was a basketball enthusiast playing, coaching, and watching countless hours of the game throughout his life. He was an active participant in the long-running Sunday night pick-up game in Long Lake. He was also a voracious reader and enjoyed crossword and sudoku puzzles.
Tom was a past member of the Friends of the Long Lake Library Board, the Girls Scouts of Northeastern New York Board of Directors, and the Long Lake Athletic Association Board.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Julia Helms of Long Lake, NY; three sons: Thomas (Robin) Helms, Jr., of Arlington, VA, Andrew (Nicole) Helms of Arlington, TN and Timothy (Kate) Helms of Long Lake; six grandchildren: Helena, Ian, Emily, Elizabeth, Kinley, and Drew; two sisters: Denise Helms and Maureen Helms, both of Vestal, NY; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation will be held July 11, 2022, from 9:00–11:30 a.m., at St. Henry's Parish Center, 1188 Main Street, Long Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the visitation at St. Henry's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will be in Long Lake Cemetery, Long Lake.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that contributions be made in Tom's memory to theCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Long Lake Public Library (https://longlake.sals.edu/visiting-the-library), The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org), or the Stratton Veteran's Administration Medical Center Fisher House (www.connect.fisherhouse.org).
Arrangements have been entrusted to Miller Funeral Home, 6357 State Route 30, Indian Lake.
To express online condolences, please visit www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Helms
Mary Waldron Henry
July 12, 2022
I didn't know Tom well but met him a few years ago at his little shop on the beach. I wanted to ask him if he had any pictures of my Uncle, Charlie Windhausen. Chuck and his brother Moose flew out of Eagle Bay with twin Cessnas while Herb was around. He hauled out some albums and we shared some stories about his dad and my uncle.
What a great pilot and gracious host. The Adirondacks will truly miss him.
Thank you to his family for sharing him with us.
The Riley Family
July 11, 2022
Julie and Family.. my mom as well as all the Rileys offer our sincere condolences. We all have fond memories of Long Lake and I remember when Tom took my Dad and Dr. Sandiford up one afternoon for a flight.. my dad had the time of his life! I hope memories of what a great, kind man Tom was, will give you comfort.
Joann, Mark, Kathleen, Rebecca, & Maureen
Matthew & Tammy Reiss
July 10, 2022
Matthew & Tammy Reiss
July 10, 2022
Matthew & Tammy Reiss
July 10, 2022
Thanks for ALL the memories!
John Peasley
July 10, 2022
My condolences to his family and friends, so sad to hear the news of his passing. Tom was my teacher at Clarkson College (now Clarkson University) in 1977 as he was assisting Prof. Lewis at the time. He was so approachable and kind to me, always made himself available when we needed help, a really smart, generous and kind man. John Peasley, Lake Pleasant, NY.
Bill Briggs
July 9, 2022
Tom Helms will always hold a special place in my life as he Transported me and a group of dear friends for 20 years in and out of Pine Lake. I would travel up from Georgia every year for a week in Pine Lake the week of July 4 th. Tom never smoked but we always told him "don´t smoke around that box". Inside joke he always smiled at. I can remember a time he came in before a storm unexpected to fly us out as he knew I had a business trip to go on and could not get "socked in". He jumped out of plane and yelled "leave everything and come on". As the ceiling fell we all got tense and as we pulled off the water Tom looks at me dead serious and says "look out the window and tell me when you see the ground". I said ground all the way back to the dock at Adirondack Lake. He told me good job with a big grin. The next year he grinned even bigger telling me he "got me" with that one.
RIP Tom. Please know that memories of you live in many of the stories told about those 4th of July trips. Prayers for the family.
Chuck Rodda
July 8, 2022
We are deeply saddened to hear of Tom´s passing. He was such a good man and great pilot. We had short but great conversations about family and aviation. Tom and Herby had been flying me and my family into Pine lake since the 70´s for hunting, fishing, and sometimes just for a short trip to clear our heads from the business of the world. He put up with my families different sense of humor and took it in stride. It was an honor to know him and we will miss him immensely. We know that he is with our Lord and we pray the you will feel the Lords blessing in the coming days.
Michael Parisian Dexter NY
July 7, 2022
Tom lived a charmed life. He flew us into 1st lake camping for over 20 years. He was one of the kindest person you would have ever met. He loved and daunted his family and was a foundation pillar of Long Lake. His sense of humor was not too be matched with his unique style. Tom´s memory will live on as we hear his float plan approaching; "here comes Tom". God bless you my friend!
Kim (Lamos) And Jim Matthews
July 7, 2022
What a gift to grow up in Long Lake. Hearing and seeing the planes is as common as seeing and hearing any song birds. Thank you Tom for the wonderful memories, we cherish our seaplane ride memories. I remember as a kid, our swimming instructor, Julie gave us excellent lessons on the town beach, forever vigilant of us, her young pupils...EXCEPT! When the seaplane taxied in after a run. Julie would have a hint of love in her eyes and on her face as the young pilot jumped out onto the dock, assisting his patrons. Our childhood gossiping would immediately begin as
We whispered to each other " Julie´s in love." And being us I´m sure we taunted Julie in song, "Ju-lie´s in lo-ove...." God bless, fly high, thank you and sending our love.
One more. Back in 1980 something we took a plane ride with our son, a young boy of 5 or 6. After that he was over the moon, Talking of the plane and you Tom. I mentioned to you once that you are a hero to our son. You chuckled saying "Lord, can´t he do better?" Your candid, funny, humble answer is even more endearing.
MG
July 5, 2022
Driest, gifted sense of humor in a man or woman I have yet to meet. Your fault if you didn't rehearse your game before opening your mouth. A half hour later I'd still be wondering, "Did I miss something there?" Hello! RIP TH. You are one of Long Lake's gems.
Craig Gilborn and Family
July 4, 2022
Tom and his wife were part of our Adirondack years, the last eight in a house off North Point Road. Julie had businesses on the other side of the bridge in town, and Tom and his father ran a charter airline that had one and two seaplanes moored near the bridge. Tom piloted me and two museum staff to Cranberry Lake. Another time, he returned to pick me up on a lake just inside the Blue Line. It was not a big lake, so he pulled back and the plane, engine roaring, pointed up and cleared the trees at the far end. He and his father did this day in and day out. Alice and I miss the dozens of lakes that challenged Tom and Herb because landing and taking off was never a sure thing. Herb landed at Mr. Hochschild´s dock on Eagle Lake. Ours was a party of three, on a mission to the Shelburne Museum. Somebody was waiting for at the dock on Lake Champlain. The coolest thing was when Tom cut the engine and stepped onto a pontoon, the seaplane drifting so close to dock or shore so nobody got wet shoes. We send thanks and good wishes to Julie Helms and the Helms family and neighbors in Long Lake. Craig and Alice Gilborn, East Dorset, Vermont.
Carol Hosley Shogren
July 4, 2022
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Helms was a very special person and will be missed greatly.
Charlie and Joann Duncan
July 3, 2022
So sorry for the Helms family loss. Thank you for your service to our country.
Ronald Colby, Mike Figorito, Dominick Figorito,Mike Pelligrino, Jack Corey,
July 3, 2022
Thank you for the years of flying us. Our deepest sympathies for your family.
Den
July 3, 2022
A heartfelt thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.
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