Brian Hom, Friends track star, dies at 18
Brian James Hom, a Friends Academy track star, died April 10, 2011, from injuries he had sustained in a motor vehicle accident the previous month. He was 18. Credit: Handout
Brian James Hom of Oyster Bay, a Friends Academy track star who was so fast that he broke the school's 55-meter dash record -- and then broke his own -- died Sunday from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident last month.
He was 18.
A force to contend with on the track, he also worked to be a source for good in the world.
He labored against racism in both his community and school as a member of ERASE Racism in Nassau County and the Diversity Committee at Friends.
"We miss him so very much," said Karen Hom, his mother. "His contagious smile, kind spirit and gentle touch have left this world but we know heaven has an angel like no other. He was a perfect son."
Hom was vice president of the school's Diversity Committee, where he held different positions during his six years at Friends Academy.
"Brian was a young man of extraordinary passion and commitment and concern," said Head of School Bill Morris, adding students participated in a tribute to Hom Tuesday.
Hom was one of four teens in an accident in Old Brookville March 8 when the Jeep Cherokee they were in collided with a dump truck at Route 107 and Hegemans Lane.
He was born in Flushing but had lived in southern New Jersey and Minneapolis before his family settled on Long Island when he was of middle school age. He enrolled in Friends Academy in the sixth grade and loved it, said James Hom, his father.
He excelled at track, but also played football, tennis, basketball and even trombone in the school band.
All the while, he took Advanced Placement courses in English, environmental science and physics in addition to working part-time at Martin Viette Nurseries in East Norwich.
He had just been accepted to Wesleyan University.
His friends said he was intelligent and studious but had a light, funny side, too. "Whenever I was in a bad mood, he could make me feel good," said friend Jonathan DeFrancesch.
Another friend, Nikita Chabra, said he had a special way with people. "I can easily say he's one of the most caring people I've ever met," she said.
Hom also is survived by a brother, Ian of Oyster Bay; two sisters, Alexandra and Katherine of Oyster Bay; and two grandmothers, Elaine Chu of Manhasset Hills and Yin Mee Chin of Albertson.
Visitation is Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Chun Fook Funeral Services in Flushing. The funeral will be there at 9 a.m., followed by burial in Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Brain Injury Association of America, 1601 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Long Island teams win 8 state titles On this episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Ben Dickson and Michael Sicoli recap the state championships including baseball and lacrosse.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Long Island teams win 8 state titles On this episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Ben Dickson and Michael Sicoli recap the state championships including baseball and lacrosse.
