Joe Cypcar Memorial Fund

To know my brother was to love him. He had an infectious smile and personality that few could resist. 

It pained us greatly to lose him on December 15th after a long battle with Covid-19. 

Joe's journey with Covid started mildly and then quickly became serious, landing him in the hospital for well over a month. He was forever the fighter and at no point was willing to give up, no matter what he was put through - a million different breathing apparatuses, tubes in his chest, pneumonia, sepsis - even while on a ventilator he responded to the Nurse's question if he wanted to keep fighting with a vigorous head nod of yes. He gave it all he had up until his very last breath. 

His journey in life, while not easy, was one he always maintained a positive attitude about. After finding out he needed surgery to replace a genetically deformed heart valve years ago, he took it in stride. When he found out shortly before that surgery that he it had to be done open-heart instead of a less invasive way - he charged forward with his usual determination and optimism. He was a cheerleader for us when we were scared and worried - always telling us we would get through it and he would be home on the couch in no time. 

Flash forward to last year when that very heart valve turned out to be defective and not working the way it should anymore. Faced with another open-heart surgery to replace it again, he never lost his faith or missed a beat (even though his heart may have!). He charged on and made it through the surgery with flying colors and crushed the long, hard rehab needed to get him back to normal. Well as normal for a Cypcar that can be hoped for :) 

When this new battle of fighting Covid came about, he always said he was coming home. Giving up wasn't a part of his vocabulary. He made best friends with all the nursing staff, with them stopping in even to check on him when they weren't assigned to his floor, bringing him snacks and just lending an ear. In true Joe fashion, he made the entire hospital fall in love with him. We will forever be in their debt for the care and camaraderie they gave to him while we couldn't be there.

Joe didn't plan on leaving us any time soon. He leaves behind a wife, three beautiful daughters and lots of grandkids, all of whom he couldn't get enough of.

He worked extremely hard his entire life as a CNC Machine Foreman for Coleman Tool - for almost 40 years! As hard as he worked, medical bills from his heart surgeries made things quite financially difficult as of late. Losing the breadwinner of the family, they going to need some immediate help for funeral costs and to stay afloat while we untangle the bigger financial picture. 

My brother was a proud, hard working, big hearted man and never asked for help from anyone - he was always the one giving it - unconditionally. The least we can do is try to help his family now that he's not here to do it himself. 

Many of you have asked what you can do and how you can help. Right now, this is it.  Any amount of a donation will help incredibly and will help the family focus on processing their grief - and not finances for the time being. 

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes and any contribution you can make. We will be forever grateful!