Eddie's battle with ALS

It is with a heavy heart that I am posting this update on behalf of the Cotugno family.

After a 27-month battle with ALS, Edward T. Cotugno, 36, of Almont, NY passed away peacefully on Monday, July 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. As I am at a loss for words during this time of grief, I turn to his devoted wife Tia who posted this message today:

“It is with the deepest sadness I’ve ever known that I announce the passing of my beloved husband, Eddie. On Monday at 4:17 p.m. he crossed over to the other side surrounded by love. He is finally free.

My beautiful man. My love for you will never, ever end. It was the honor of my life to be your wife.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 10 o’clock at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 39 St. John Street, Amsterdam, NY with The Very Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis E.V. as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com

A full obituary can be found at: https://brbsfuneral.funeraltechweb.com/tribute/details/321479/Edward-Cotugno/obituary.html

This GoFundMe page will remain active in memoriam of Eddie with all remaining donations going toward Eddie’s outstanding medical bills and end-of-life expenses. Any further contributions in Eddie’s memory may be made to I AM ALS 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, #14135, Washington, DC 20044 or www.IAMALS.org/donate or St. Peter’s Hospital ALS Regional Center, www.sphp.com

On behalf of the entire Cotugno Family, we thank every one of you who has shown your love and support for Eddie, Tia, Tuna, Rose and the rest of the family during the past two years. Your words of inspiration kept Eddie’s spirits up and your financial support took so much of the weight off, allowing Tia and Eddie to have the quality time together that they truly needed. Words cannot express their gratitude. Few things warm the heart more than when a community comes together for a family during a crisis. Every one of you…our personal friends, neighbors, extended family, co-workers and fellow brothers and sisters of the Entertainment Industry came together as a community for Eddie and it will never be forgotten. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you.

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**UPDATE as of 2/15/23...On behalf of the Cotugno Family, we want to thank everyone who has contributed to this fundraiser to help Eddie and Tia during these trying times. Sadly, Eddie's condition has reached the point where traditional medical treatment is no longer an option and the best we can do now is to help make the rest of his life with his family as comfortable as possible.

This incurable and terminal condition has left a devastating strain on the Cotugno family. Despite the seemingly large numbers raised on this page, which can be described as only a blessing to the family, the past 18 months of hopeful tests, treatments, special care and necessary equipment NOT COVERED by any medical insurance, has nearly depleted all funds raised to date. The most recent donations received over the past few days have truly made a difference...but every dollar donated will continue to make a difference over the next few months, so please keep spreading the word for the Cotugno family. Keep Eddie and Tia in your prayers and know that all funds raised are being spent as quickly as they are received.

The next couple of months will be the most difficult time for the family, but Tia will be by Eddie's side making every moment count. It's no understatement that without the generosity, love and support of all of their friends and family, Tia would not be able to spend this precious time with the man she loves so dearly, so on her behalf, Thank you all so much for everything you've done. Every one of you has made a difference. God bless.

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As some of you may know and to those of you who don’t, Eddie Cotugno, IATSE Stagehand, Local 592 Saratoga, Local 14 Albany, and Local 52 NYC, continues to forge forward in his experience with having ALS since May 2021. Eddie is 35 years old.

ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a 100% fatal neurodegenerative disease with no cure and is one of the cruelest, if not the most cruel disease a person can experience. It rapidly limits motor movement to the point where a person can no longer move, eat, swallow or speak, losing all muscle mass, and eventually shutting down organs. It not only affects the person but extends through entire families, as caregiving is one of the biggest necessities during this time of illness.

Eddie requires 24/7 around the clock caregiving. He can no longer move his arms or legs, requires a BiPap to breathe and has trouble eating and speaking. Unfortunately, Eddie had to seek disability and step away from his life’s work of Head Electrician at SPAC- a career he absolutely fell in love with. To this day Eddie dreams of returning to his job that he adores and finds so fufilling. Tia, Eddie’s wife, is his primary caregiver and was forced to cut her career down to part time. Eddie’s parents, Ed (“Tuna”) and Rose Mary Cotugno, are Eddie’s other caregivers when Tia is at work. Ed (“Tuna”) has also taken time away from work to care for Eddie. Tia and Tuna have both taken drastic cuts in salary to help care for Eddie. Caregiving, especially for a person with ALS, is one of the hardest most demanding care there is. The ALS Foundation has determined that ALS can cost a family upwards of $200,000 a year.

Eddie and Tia had plans to be wed in October 2022 but had to cancel their dream wedding and rushed to get married in September 2021 due to the uncertainty of the future.

Although Eddie has been dealt one of the hardest hands, he still forges on with the same wonder for life he always had. Eddie and Tia are extremely positive and have taken this life’s detour as an honorable lesson. Eddie is still the same wondrous man, leaving a mark wherever he goes and with everyone he meets. Eddie is a gift to this world, and with his unwavering belief, strength and courage, he will climb this uphill battle and overcome it.

Until then, the newlyweds need your help. It is absolutely clear the lengths money can go and the impact your donation can have as they figure out life together during this devastating struggle. The cost of supplies needed for a person with ALS are tremendous. Please share this donation page with your friends and family; every little share can help!

Thank you for taking the time to read and for your donation to The Cotugnos. You are so appreciated.