Honoring Josh's Life: Support Needed

Josh has been my best friend and partner for twenty years. We have been through it all. He was funny and fun-loving. He loved golf, going to the gym, and playing guitar. He loved cooking, as both his profession and a hobby. Even more so, he loved his family at La Cucina in Dunmore.

Josh struggled for years with alcohol addiction but finally in 2022, he began his healing journey and was sober. During that time we would go to the gym, plan goals for our newly purchased house, and spend many hours in our garden. We had finally started living the life we both deserved. That all changed in April 2023 when Josh was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. He braved through chemo, complicated dental surgeries, and then 35 radiation treatments. He was so brave and strong.

However, it wasn’t enough. The cancer soon returned with a vengeance. We underwent more procedures including having a tracheostomy done after having his previous one removed. Since March 2024, his health and strength continued to decline. He was no longer able to eat anything, which caused major depression. By mid-July, his team of doctors concluded that his treatments going forward would be palliative and no longer curative. Only a short week later he developed pneumonia for the 3rd time. His body was not strong enough to handle it. He passed peacefully and now his pain and struggling is over. He fought so hard. He was a warrior throughout it all. At least his suffering and pain is over and he can be reunited with our dog Jax that sadly passed of cancer a few years ago.

I’m generally not one to ask for help but I can hear him saying “Don’t be stupid Mary, take help if you can get it.” Throughout the last year I have had to lose countless hours of work between appointments and caring for him when he was too sick to be alone. And now I am struggling to come up with funds for his final expenses on top of all the lost time at work.

Myself and my son would appreciate anything anyone could spare. Even sharing with others if you can’t personally help would make a difference. I thank you all so much.

And in memory of Josh, live your life to the fullest, make laughing a priority, and hug your loved ones a little tighter.

Thank you so much-

Mary and Jayden