Troy passed away peacefully on July 3rd, 2024 at the age of 48. He was a loving fiancé, devoted father to five children, and two grand children, cherished son, and adored brother and brother in law.

Troy was a beautiful person. At 6’5” he was our gentle giant. He loved unconditionally, supportive, loyal, empathetic and no matter how he was feeling he would put a smile on his face just to make you feel better. Through all of challenges, Troy kept his humor and wit.

If you knew Troy, you know how much he has been through over the years. It’s heartbreaking for me to even share this with you, but I feel like I need to tell you his story.

At age 17, my brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He went through several months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments to his chest. Most kids at that age are making plans with their friends, graduating, and going to college. Troy couldn’t, he had to be home schooled his last year because he was too sick, and he was trying to just get through the day. No matter how sick he felt he would always smile and take everything in stride. Once the treatments were over he was given the all clear and was cancer free but he always had the scare that it might someday come back.

At age 22, he was diagnosed with non-cancerous tumors on his brain stem that required three extensive surgeries to remove. After a long recovery, he was ready to live life. He finally felt at ease, and was able to enjoy life. He met his fiancé, they had children, and he was able to spend time with family and friends.

Shortly after his 40th birthday, the consequences from the radiation to his chest came back to haunt him.

At 42, he started having chest pains, they put him through test after test and finally told him they needed double bypass surgery. He had a very long recovery, and he just never felt like he had a new lease on life, just always felt sick and tired.

After countless doctor appointments and hospital visits we were told his lung was damaged during the heart surgery and that’s why there were respiratory problems. He had pneumonia time after time and was also told that he now had congestive heart failure.

At 44, he started having chest pain again and was retaining water. He received the horrible news that he needed an Aortic valve replacement and had another open heart surgery. Here we are four years later and he was still having problems. He had four hospital visits just this year with the last one being just two weeks ago.

During my many hospital visits we would laugh, cry and sometimes just sit in silence. His one request to me was to just take care of his kids if anything would happen to him. I will never break that promise.

During all of this, he was going to work everyday. Never called in sick. He felt terrible and just pushed through to take care of his family.

Troy's big smile started to fade, and he was just so sick of being sick. He would say “I don’t know what it feels like to feel good”. He just couldn’t catch a break and certainly didn't deserve any of the medical challenges. Why him? On Wednesday, his heart gave out and our hearts were forever broken.

We have received so many calls asking what to do because we all feel so helpless. I ask that you please consider donating so we can help with future education for his young children.