For Annabelle, In Honor of Her Daddy’s Love
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Honoring Mike's Wish: Help Us Create Memories for Annabelle
On May 16, 2025, our beloved brother Michael — Annabelle's Daddy — passed away after a courageous battle with stage four cholangiocarcinoma. Mike fought this rare and aggressive cancer with extraordinary strength, resilience, and grace, never letting go of his love for life or his deep devotion to his daughter, Annabelle.
Annabelle is just 7 years old.
At an age when most little girls are building a lifetime of memories with their daddies, Annabelle has been heartbreakingly limited to only seven short years. But Mike wanted more for her — more than just seven years of memories.
In his final days, he made a beautiful and selfless request — he shared a heartfelt wish with his three brothers, Jeffrey, Bill, and Kevin. He asked them to be there for Annabelle, to take her to the places he had dreamed of sharing with her — places full of wonder, inspiration, and meaning.
These weren’t just events or outings. They were dreams — ones Mike had imagined as a father. Moments of joy, learning, and connection that would help keep his presence alive in Annabelle’s heart. He hoped she would see the world through the stories, values, and love he carried so deeply.
Some of the special memories Mike hoped Annabelle will one day create include — but are not limited to:
- Seeing The Lion King or Aladdin on Broadway — shows he imagined watching with her
- Cheering on the Mets at Citi Field, one of his favorite teams
- Feeling the energy of a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden
- Exploring the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art — places to inspire her imagination
- Visiting Chicago, a city close to Mike’s heart where he once lived
- Walking through the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, a place filled with meaning and personal connection
- Joining in family vacations — creating new memories surrounded by the people who love her and who will always keep Mike’s presence alive
As many of you who knew Mike can imagine, this list only begins to reflect the kinds of moments he dreamed of sharing with Annabelle. We’d also love to hear from you — if you have ideas or suggestions for activities or places Annabelle might enjoy, especially those that remind you of Mike, please share them.
This journey isn’t just about checking off a list — it’s about honoring a father’s love and keeping his spirit alive through the memories we build with and for his daughter.
Our hope is to honor Mike’s wishes by making these experiences, and many more, possible for Annabelle — with her uncles and their families by her side — building lasting memories filled with love, laughter, and stories of her incredible dad.
This GoFundMe has been created to help support the costs of fulfilling Mike’s wishes: travel expenses, tickets, accommodations, and the meaningful moments in between. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving Annabelle the gift her father dreamed of — a lifetime of memories rooted in his love.
Thank you for helping us keep Mike’s spirit alive in Annabelle’s life.
With gratitude,
Jeffrey, Bill, and Kevin
Co-organizers (2)
Tanya Hartwyk
Organizer
Mount Laurel, NJ
Kevin Hartwyk
Co-organizer