Michael R. Tome

Mr. Michael R. "Snake" Tome, age 40, of Center Street, Salamanca, New York died early Friday morning, May 13, 2011 as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident on West State Street Extension, Salamanca, New York.

Born on August 28, 1970 in Olean, New York he was the son of the late Edwin and Lorraine Billy Tome.

Mr. Tome was a graduate of Salamanca High School Class of 1989.

He was the owner and operator of Snake's Smokes, Salamanca, New York.

Mr. Tome founded both the Knock Out Factory and the Seneca Nation Boxing Club. He was a NYS Athletic Commission Boxing Judge, Ohio Athletic Commission Judge Mixed Martial Arts Judge, and Association of Boxing Commissioners National Professional Judge. He was also a promoter of amateur boxing and Pro-Am mixed martial arts events.

He was an enrolled member of the Deer Clan, and a citizen of the Seneca Nation of Indians. He enjoyed motorcycles, classic cars, his pets, and he was an enthusiast of the performing arts. In the past he had competed in the demolition Derby at the Cattaraugus County Fair, his childhood passion for BMX bikes was a driving force for supporting the Salamanca Skate Park, and he was a phenomenal writer and poet.

Surviving are: 2 sisters, Cheryl (Craig Hall) Tome, Steamburg, New York, Loretta (Peter) Huson, Brant, New York; 2 brothers, Steven Tome, Salamanca, New York, Kieran Tome, Jimersontown, New York; several nieces and nephews; his companion, Jennifer Vassar, Lyndon, New York.

He was predeceased by a brother, Louis Tome.

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday morning at 11:00 A.M. by "Big Poppa" Schnake'.

Burial will be in Memorial Heights Cemetery, Jimersontown, New York.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.

The family suggests memorials to the Michael Tome Memorial Fund, % Steven Tome, P.O. Box 653, Salamanca, New York 14779.