Our Hero, Our Father, Your Friend Michael Ramsey

If you are reading this post, you likely know my Father Michael. Born Michael William Ramsey, known compassionately as Dad, Son, Brother, Uncle Mike, and my favorite Poppa (from his 8 grandsons) amongst his family and friends. Perhaps you were lucky enough to share some childhood memories with him, got caught on the basketball court against him at Penny High School in East Hartford, Ct. Maybe you saw him proudly tending the grounds at Middlesex Memorial Hospital, or in passing on the many highways he drove his Tractor Trailer, surely it’s possible you may have seen him working alongside his Father Frank Ramsey Sr. at Foodshare in Windsor, CT. Whichever the case, if you were lucky enough to know my Father Michael, you knew you were in good hands. With that in mind, it is my hope you will continue to read on and consider this request from My Dad, our Family, and your friend Michael Ramsey.

My father has suffered from emphysema, COPD, and Chronic Bronchitis for several years. When you saw him you couldn’t tell, his spirit was inspiring and his outlook was bright. One would think that in November 2021, that would all change, as he was diagnosed with Stage 3A Lung Cancer. Instead my father used that same optimistic outlook on life to begin one of the hardest fights for his life. Like most people who have faced this enemy, the battle is never easy and usually ends with permanent scares. My Dad began his treatment in January of 2022. His first date with chemo caused an anaphylactic reaction causing doctors to scurry to find a different way to treat him. Dad endured 12 weeks of chemo radiation therapy. Similarly to before his diagnosis, My Dad was just as optimistic about his life and outcome!

In March of 2022 My Father’s Doctors believed my Dad’s Cancer was now in remission! Dad’s lung disease was affecting his daily activities and Dad now had to use oxygen daily. That didn’t stop him from being positive, he just bought a sporty carrying case so at least he could look cool while carrying. This was his way of taking back control from the enemy making sure cancer and lung disease knew who was boss.

Unfortunately, that idea of my Father being in control was short lived as my Dad was admitted into Saint Francis Hospital on May 27, 2022 due to a collapsed lung on his right side. He stayed in the hospital for about a week, endured procedures, including the insertion of a chest tube to help open his airway. The doctor’s efforts and my Father’s will rendered successful and my father was able to go home on June 3, 2022. His discharge brought follow up appointments, one being an outpatient appointment with his Cancer Doctor. During that visit, his Cancer Doctor shared her immediate concerns about the possibility that the enemy had returned.

On June 24,2022 just two days shy of My Father’s 65 birthday, he went to have a PET Scan done. Prior too, and during the procedure my father was experiencing shortness of breath and his O2 was dropping. Thanks to the fast action of his pulmonary Doctor, my Dad was readmitted into the hospital with another collapsed lung (right side again) and the confirmed fear that the enemy had returned with vengeance. He spent his birthday in the hospital enduring procedure after procedure. This time the chest tube was unsuccessful and the tumor was collapsing his lung and pushing on his heart. Doctors tried to get Dad’s airway open, but all their attempts were unsuccessful and Dad was now on high flow oxygen. His spirit, smile, and outlook never wavered even as Palliative Care Doctors now joined his medical team.

Since this admission, my Dad has left a positive mark on every Doctor, Nurse, Therapist, and aid who openly expressed and celebrated their encounters with him. Especially expressing how kind, humble, and sweet he was each time they saw him. My Father’s will to fight has been noted by his decision to undergo a stent placement (involving a change in hospital), a VATS procedure, and 3 bronchoscopy’s. His last procedure the VATS was extremely rough on my Dad.

Immediately following the procedure on July 5, 2022 my Dad had to be out on a ventilator and he has been fighting hard to get off of it. Between the mass on his right lung, the collapsed lung, and his pulmonary disease he is having a much harder fight. The aggressively evolving enemy hasn’t hindered my father’s spirit. He is responsive to voices, especially that of myself and my Brother Gregory Ramsey.

This post was initially being set up in preparation for the passing of Our Dear Father Michael William Ramsey. Yesterday, July 12, 2022 my father took back his fight against lung cancer and pulmonary disease by ripping out his breathing tube and taking control of his passing. My father fought so strongly and accepted his entrance into Heaven with pride and grace! He peacefully passed away today, July 13, 2022. Before my father passed onto his after life, he openly spoke with my brother and I about his wishes - the greatest one of them is to not leave his family with any financial burden. Without life insurance and very little income due to his lung disease over the past few year, this was a grave concern for my father. Another wish of my Dad’s is to be hurried next to his wife Kathleen Ramsey who passed away almost 17 years ago, at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

My family and I did everything possible while at his bed side to pour love, support, and encouragement into him. My Father made peace with his diagnosis and he passed peacefully without discomfort . He was predeceased by not only my Mother, but his Mother, Father, and eldest brother, all within the last 3 years.

Now that my Dad’s spirit is at peace we would like to honor his wishes and help reunite his body with his wife’s. With this information we are humbly asking you to make a donation toward My Father Michael Ramsey’s afterlife. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated. Whatever monetary amount collected will help offset the cost for a plot and his burial arrangements and honor his wish to rest peacefully alongside his wife!

Myself and my brother Greg Ramsey, as well as the entire Ramsey family welcome all prayers! In you prayers, if you would not mind please continue to ask God to restore our hearts, open our minds, and enhance our strength to get through this difficult time. We humbly thank you for your sincere consideration and donation! May peace be with you and Gods blessings rein fruitful in your life!

You may feel free to contact me with any questions. If you would like to send a card or letter to Michael’s family, they can be mailed to:

Kara Ramsey

Attn: Michael Ramsey

1368 B Poquonock Ave

Windsor, CT 06095

Thank you sincerely,

Signed a deeply grieving daughter