Hi everyone. My name is Hannah Dombroski, and I am extremely proud to be Kevin Dombroski’s daughter. Writing this is both incredibly easy and incredibly hard, because if you know my dad, you know there are never enough words to capture the quiet, constant selflessness he shows every single day.

For more than 40 years, my dad has been serving our Waterbury community as a paramedic. He has spent decades showing up on people’s worst days with his intelligence and a heart that never seems to run out of room for others (even when he won't admit it). To many EMTs and paramedics, he hasn’t just been a coworker, but he’s been a mentor, a teacher, and the kind of role model you hope to become.

But the big truth is, his biggest impact has always been at home.

My dad is the man who has filled just about every role in life: father, husband, grandfather, son, uncle, brother, DIY carpenter, my mechanic, Jeopardy trivia genius, cheerleader, therapist, Yankee connoisseur, and babysitter. The list goes on. To those who are aware of Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theater, he was one of the biggest volunteers behind the scenes building beautiful, creative sets. What says the most about him is that even after we graduated and moved on, he kept showing up and volunteering, simply because he has always loved helping, and I got my father-daughter time by joining in the same.

Growing up, my parents sacrificed more than we probably even realized at the time for my sister, Emily, and I. My dad worked tirelessly to move us out of the Waterbury public school system and into private schools, investing in our futures even when it meant putting his own wants on hold. Vacations were skipped. Purchases delayed. And through all of it, he never stopped encouraging us to dream bigger.

When my sister followed her heart into nursing and moved her life down South, even though he’d probably prefer us both within a 10-minute drive forever, he supported her completely. I am now in my final year of law school preparing for the bar exam, something that once felt impossible, and my dad has been my biggest believer every step of the way.

In January 2025, my dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Since then, he has faced procedures, surgeries, checkups, and the heavy weight of uncertainty. The unknown has been especially hard on someone who has spent his life being the steady one for everyone else.

Yet somehow, he still keeps going.

Even when he comes home exhausted and in pain, he is still working as a paramedic, still helping people, and still doing his absolute best to be present for his family including his beautiful baby granddaughter, Eloise. Watching him chase her around when he can, even on the hard days, has been such a gift to witness this past year and has always reminded me of what a great father he has been to Emily and I.

My dad turned 65 this past October, and more than anything, I just want him to finally have the chance to relax, to breathe, and to enjoy the life he has spent decades helping others live.

Medical costs and ongoing treatment have made that goal uncertain. As much as I want to help my parents financially, being a student makes that nearly impossible right now. So I am asking for the support of the community in any way possible.

If my dad has ever helped you, worked beside you, mentored you, or simply made your day a little easier, we would be so grateful for your support. Truly, it is my biggest wish to provide even a fraction of what he has given us.

It’s finally time for someone who has spent a lifetime answering the call to receive one.

With love and so much gratitude,

Hannah Dombroski