Thomas J. Acara

ACARA - Thomas J.
Of Amherst, NY, formerly of Hollywood, FL, March 28, 2019.

Former husband of Margaret Smith Acara; dear father of Thomas (Cindy) Acara, Mary Grace (late James) Knapp, Janet (Ron Stahura) Acara, Rosanne (Ed) Boczar; loving grandfather of eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brother of Nancy Acara, Mary Ann Acara and Grace (late Thomas) Flaherty; also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at D. LAWRENCE GINNANE FUNERAL HOME, 3215 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, Saturday (March 30th) 3:00 - 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Leo the Great R.C. Church, 885 Sweet Home Rd., (between Sheridan and Maple), Amherst, Monday at 9:15 AM, please meet at church.

Memorials to Erie County Community College Foundation Vision Care Technology, 121 Ellicott St., 14203 are prefered.

Thomas James Acara was born in Buffalo, NY on July 2, 1932 and passed away on March 28, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer

He was in accomplished optician, and a pioneer in the contact lens field. He was a well respected professor at Erie Community College, and a fellow member of the Contact Lens Society of America. He was a founding member of the Contact Lens Society Of New York State. He is responsible for introducing the soft lens, and was regarded as a contact lens specialist known for treating the most complex of vision problems. He continued giving the gift of vision until his retirement at age 83.

His legacy includes four loving children, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three devoted sisters 

Tom never met someone who didn’t become his friend. His contagious smile, boundless compassion, quick wit, and exuberant sense of humor will be deeply missed by the multitude of family and friends left behind.  

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