John T. "Tom" Giasson, 74, of New Bedford passed away Monday, August 12, 2019 at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Tracey A. (Winterson) Giasson, with whom he shared over thirty years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Raymond Giasson and Agnes (Thompson) Briggs, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Tom was a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Stang High School in 1963. While there he played football, baseball and basketball and prided himself on scoring the first touchdown in Bishop Stang football history. He went on to attend Colorado State University at Pueblo on a football scholarship, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Coach Giasson taught in the New Bedford Public School system for over 30 years, first as an elementary physical education teacher and later as a science teacher at New Bedford High School. In addition to teaching, he coached at New Bedford High School for over 40 years, first as a girls basketball coach and then as the head coach for both boys and girls track and field. He was also a defensive backs coach for the football team and returned as an assistant track coach until 2018. He loved teaching and coaching, and instilling the values of hard work, dedication and perseverance in his students and athletes. He made a huge impact on the lives of everyone he met.
Tom was a sports fanatic, he loved to watch the Patriots, Yankees, Celtics, NASCAR and track and field events. He also loved to drive his "Little Red Corvette", but most of all he loved spending time with his family, friends, and fellow coaches.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey; his son, Reed Giasson and his wife Diana; his daughter, Kara Giasson; two granddaughters, Logan and Kylie Giasson; his furry companions, Bentley, Finn, Zoey, and Kitty; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-father, Everett Briggs, and his step-mother, Mary Giasson.
Tom's family would like to give a special thank you to Chris Barbosa for all the help he has given to them over the past year. They would also like to thank Tom's team of doctors and nurses at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Rhode Island Lifespan Oncology, especially nurse Katie Cherenzia.
His Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 10 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Monday, August 19, 2019 from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to Tracey Giasson and will be used for the Coach Tom Giasson Athlete Fund, which has yet to be formed and mailed to Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 495 Park St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.