My name is Amber Vucinich and it is with immeasurable grief and sadness on behalf of my family that I write that my dad, Jay Vucinich, passed away in November. My dad was diagnosed with stage I bladder cancer in October 2024, and battled it as it progressed to stage II in January 2025. Treatment after treatment failed him and tragically in August it progressed to stage IV metastatic cancer throughout his bones, lungs, and abdomen.

He had just started a new treatment when he had an accident and suffered a fall in early November that resulted in a multiple fractured jaw and a spine fracture.The fall shortened his life expectancy and before we knew it, the man we loved and hoped we would have more time with was gone before Thanksgiving. My dad was only 58 years old.

We painfully navigated Thanksgiving which was also my mom’s birthday, and December will bring my dad’s birthday, Christmas, and New Years in this new reality without him.

I always thought I would have him by my side seeing me through life’s many milestones but at 32 I lost my biggest cheerleader, the one I’d turn to when I needed any advice, and my mom lost the love of her life of over 40 years.

My dad was our family’s rock so I’m setting up this GoFundMe on behalf of my mom, Lisette Vucinich, so she doesn’t have to handle all this burden alone on top of her grief and the trauma of the events leading up to hospitalization, surgery, and hospice. Anyone who knows my mom knows she would never ask for help on her own. She took some time off, she’s works at an elementary school assisting children in special education for the past twenty years, and there’s only so much the state gives part time workers as she does not qualify for family leave time.

These funds will go toward bills and living expenses for my mother. We would be so appreciative of any and all donations made in my dad’s honor.

I miss my father more than words can ever express, and to anyone who knew me or my two brothers, you knew a part of him. His kindness, caring, consideration, and whip-smart humor shaped us into the people we are today. Looking to the next year is overwhelming as my father’s accident robbed us of the possible extra time the treatment could have given us. Dad was looking forward to seeing my youngest brother Taylor down the aisle at his wedding, celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary with my mother, and hoping that the newest treatment could have worked.

I wish I could do more for my mom but I’m only one person. So any support from my community or from any generous people who find this would mean the absolute world to me. If you cannot donate, sharing means just as much and I thank you for your time and for thinking of me and my family.

I love you more than anything, Dad, and I miss you so deeply with every day that passes. I’ll take good care of Mom.

Thank you.