John Rykowski Memorial Fund

Hello - This is my brother story.

My brother John enter the Marine Corp right out of high school. He left the Corp after 16 years. The last 6 as a drill instructor at Camp Lejeune.  He bounced around with different jobs for a couple of years before becoming a firefight with the Kearny, NJ fire department.  He meet a woman, fell in love and got married. And started a family.  But for medical reasons he had to leave the job that he loved and go on disability.  He wife though had a good job so for years they were happy in a small home they purchased. Till about 4 years ago when my sister-in was diagnosed with cancer.  Sorry to say she pass away 2 years ago. Leaving my brother and an 18 year old son. 

Today my brother is currently in the ICU after suffering a massive stroke last week. The doctors are recommending moving him to hospice care, removing the breathing tube and let nature take its course. As they see no chance of recovery.  As you can image his financials are bad.  He has been surviving on disability. Has no medical or life insurance. And the house is in foreclosure, since he could not make the mortgage since his wife has die.

My nephew is now 20 years old has been trying to stay in school for the last two years. Does not have a job and no means of support other than my brother. Is about to lose his father after losing his mother 2 years ago. I do not have the means to take him in as a live in a small apartment with my wife and children. His only other living relative is my sister who lives in South Caroline.

Neither my sister nor I have the finances to pay for my brother’s funeral expenses. We are seeking funds to help with the funeral expenses and medical costs.