Help with David Graziano's Final Expenses
My hilarious, tenacious, hard-working, resilient, smart, compassionate, loving, amazing dad, David Graziano, passed away on Friday, July 30th, 2021 after a brave 2.5 year-long battle with liver cancer. He spent his last moments peaceful and comfortable at home, surrounded by his loving family and favorite music. As strange and awful as it feels to not have him here with us physically anymore, I am happy that he finally has the peace and rest that he so deserves.
My dad lost his life too soon at the age of 57. He was born in Easton, PA and was the son of Frank and Barbara Graziano. He had three brothers, Frank, Mark, and Mike, as well as a late sister, Lisa. He attended the Easton Area School District and was of Catholic faith. He served as a laborer and supervisor at several manufacturing companies, including: Molded Acoustical Products, Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co., J&J Flock Products, and Phillips Pet Food & Supplies. He was a beloved father to three daughters, including myself and my two sisters, Jessica and Sarah.
My dad loved animals (especially his dog Kujo), nature, music, gardening, fixing things around the house, reading the paper and having coffee and a cigarette by the river, having a beer/laugh with friends, spending time with family, and being a father. He was a quiet (yet hilarious), hard-working, resilient, gentle, and caring father and friend who will be missed immensely. I feel so grateful and lucky to have had a dad like him – one who always made me feel unconditionally loved and supported and who so clearly loved being a father. He always had a subtle, but hilarious, joke, an awesome new song to share with me, a way of fixing almost any broken thing I brought to him, and also a way of making the most mundane things feel fun and special.
In order to celebrate my dad’s life and legacy, a gathering will be held on Sunday, August 8th, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Morello Funeral Home, Inc. 3720 Nicholas Street Easton, PA 18045, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM the Funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. You may see more information about this and offer condolences online at www.morellofuneralhome.com
My family has created this GoFundMe in order offset some of the unexpected costs our family will incur during this difficult time. My dad was too stubborn to accept death and fought as long and hard as possible to retain his normal life, as well as the health and life insurance benefits provided by his employer. He continued to work his job at Phillips Pet Food & Supplies until he physically could not anymore, had to be hospitalized, and eventually had to leave his job on permanent disability, due to the toll his illness had taken on his body. Unfortunately, because of this, my dad lost his health insurance and life insurance. The small savings that my father did have was also quickly depleted in order to cover bills/living expenses, given that he no longer had income and had not yet completed his 6-month waiting period to start receiving social security disability payments.
The funds being requested would be used to pay for the services of the funeral director and their staff, as well as use of facilities and services for a memorial at Morello Funeral Home. These funds would also be used to cover the costs associated with cremation and burying my dad’s ashes at Northampton Memorial Shrine, an obituary notice in the newspaper, death certificates, and a small flower arrangement. The funeral home requires bills to be paid in full within 30 days of the memorial, so the goal for raising these funds would be by September 8th. I will be handling the expenses for my dad’s final expenses, and am happy to address any questions people may have! I am truly so grateful for any amount or form of help that anyone can provide.
Even if you are unable to make a monetary contribution, it would be a huge help even if you were to share this link with other who may be interested in helping. Regardless, I truly appreciate the friends and loved ones who have been so kind and supportive in any way throughout this journey. Thank you to everyone who visited my dad, sent prayers and well-wishes, checked in on my mom and sisters and I, helped with planning arrangements, made donations, and sent photos and shared old stories about their time together with my dad. The support has been heartwarming and so appreciated!
EDIT 8/4: Goal amount updated and slightly increased to factor in the cost of a tombstone/grave marker. Thank you all SO much for your help so far