Man killed in MVA vs. Pedestrian accident on July 22 to be remembered in services this week
- sharonsiegel1954
- Jul 29
- 5 min read
MONTAGUE, NJ – Tom “Lucky the Hobo” Brislin’s tri-state hometown community is being encouraged by family and friends to gather for his viewing on Tuesday and funeral on Wednesday to remember the late entertainer/DJ/friend/veteran/neighbor who was tragically killed last week.
Brislin, a skilled balloonist who performed locally for decades, was fatally struck by a vehicle near his Route 23, Montague home at about 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday morning, July 22. While his death has shocked those who knew and admired him, his helping others at the time does not surprise most.
“Tom worked the 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. shift at his Citgo job and returned home to his house at 39 State Route 23 at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday,” shared his older brother Paul, who lives next door to Tom. “His plan was to cut up a tree that he had taken down that was hanging over a neighbor’s property. He was going to cut it up near the trout stream on our properties, and remove it for firewood.”
On his way home from work, Tom saw a fallen tree that had blocked part of Route 23. As was his nature to do whatever he could to help, Tom decided to cut and remove the tree from the stretch of Route 23 near his home first to help prevent an accident.
According to New Jersey State Police information provided to Brislin's family, Tom was struck by a woman in a Cadillac SUV who had been traveling southbound up the two-lane section of the road.
Paul headed out of his driveway about ten minutes later, unaware of the accident, and found himself tied up in traffic near the scene. He said he could see someone lying in the road and several people trying to help, but had no idea it was his brother. He is grateful for the help rendered and for the hospital chaplain’s blessings over his brother.
“I was told that the woman who hit Tom was very distraught. I do not blame anyone. I just have questions about why Tom, who was normally very safety conscious and knew the dangers of this stretch of the road, was there. I think it was just that Tom, when he sees a problem or challenge, does something to help,” Paul reflected. “He was a very happy individual. He never had to be asked to help, he just did it – with no expectation.”
Tom’s lifetime of helping extended to all, including less fortunate creatures. One example is a cat he rescued while working at his Citgo job in 2019. Tom had seen a customer dump a cat out of its window as it approached Route 84, and saw the cat run into nearby woods. He purchased Fancy Feast cat food from the gas station store and immediately went to check on this cat. He began feeding it before and after work every day, and on his days off. After a few weeks, he took the cat -- which he had named Francis -- home with him to choose whether he wanted to live with him or stay in the sheltered spot it had settled in near Citgo. Francis chose to stay with Tom and will be adopted by a longtime female friend of Tom’s this week.
Tom, spoken with at a Port Jervis spay/neuter clinic that summer, said simply of his adoption of Francis, "Once I saw a cat in need of help I never considered not helping. It’s God’s creation and deserves to live and be safe. It has a purpose. I might not know what that purpose is, but God does not create things that do not have a purpose.”
Dozens of online posts share other examples of Brislin's positive interactions in life.
In one, he was recalled as being willing to step out of his comfort zone to help, including in taking part in all of Port Jervis Fire Department/Recreation Department's icy Polar Plunge events. He was also referenced as having taken a lifeguard course one year in order to fill a summer need at West End Beach, and a sign language class another year in order to better communicate with his audiences as a performer.
“Lucky was such a wonderful human. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and will be missed by folks near and far. He was put on earth to make people smile, and that’s just what he did,” reads one.
“I grew up with Lucky always being around. He was a huge part of my childhood. He was talented, funny, and dedicated his life to helping others. He was always happy, and always smiling,” reads another.
Brislin, the middle of three sons born to Florence and Paul Brislin -- Paul, Tom, and Jim -- was born on New Year’s Eve, 12/31/1954 in Hackensack, NJ. He lived most of his life in the Route 23, Montague childhood home that his family moved to 1957, and where he still resided at the time of his death.
Known as “Lucky" as an entertainer, Tom’s desire to help others brought experiences some recall as ‘less than lucky’ in carrying out. One was life-changing, and occurred during basic training in the United States Marine Corps.
As recalled by Paul, Tom’s parents had signed for him to join the Marines at age 17, in 1972. While stationed at Paris Island, Tom and other recruits were at a firing range when a fellow recruit took aim at a drill instructor.
“Tom stepped in front of the fire arm, fulfilling his duty as a Marine. No bullet came out, but black powder burnt his eyes. He had 2200 vision from then on, and was practically blind for most of his life. He was given an Honorable Discharge a few months later, as of January 10, 1973,” Paul shared. “He somehow made things work, even with this vision. In the last few years he was able to see again. Dr. Palydowycz (Milford, PA) agreed to do surgery to help him, and after that he didn't even need glasses.”
Anyone wishing to pay respects to Brislin may attend a visitation on Tuesday, 7/29 from 1-5 p.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home or a Funeral Mass on 7/30 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
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