My Favorite Umpire-Dad-Man of God
Donation protected
January 2012 he thought was the end…. Leukemia was the diagnosis. As he was being transferred over to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, he gave his life to the Lord. After days, weeks, and months, God’s faithfulness shined through my dad, and this is where his journey to paradise begins.
Dennis Barberio is known to many. Some may describe him as a tinker, some as a story teller, but many say he is an honorable man. His time spent in Roswell were nothing but long, stressful days. After many rounds of chemo, he received a blood transfusion, and by the Grace of God a bone marrow donor was found. He shortly went into remission for 3 years, and during that time he lived his life to the fullest. He started taking ministry classes and continued with his one true passion, umpiring. As far back as I can remember, his dream was to umpire the Big Leagues. That dream lead him to Cooperstown, where he has been changing lives of little kids for the last 10 years.
In 2015 his cancer returned, and we were told it was worse than it was the first time. He went through many rounds of chemo and radiation. Again, after months of treatments, he re-entered the world of umpiring. He spent the summer months in Cooperstown, umpiring game after game and returning home with endless stories that I will forever treasure.
Spring of 2016 we stopped all chemo treatments, as my dad’s quality of life was fading. But cancer didn’t stop him from living! That summer he returned to Cooperstown, knowing in his heart that this would probably be his last time there. With God’s grace and strength, he spent 7 weeks there, and he didn’t want to come home. God truly watched over him that summer and guided him home safely to us.
October 2016 he re-entered Roswell Park, and we thought it was the end. The cancer returned and was in full force. His doctor told us he might have 6-8 months, but she was not sure. She said she would be surprised if he made it through the holidays.
But God….
Once again God had other plans for my Dad. We shared some incredible birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas memories. Ones I will cherish for always.
As the new year approached us, he said he was done with chemo treatments, because it just wasn’t doing anything anymore. We were told that the cancer was gone, but it would return, and when it did, it would be worse than it was in October.
At his last appointment with his doctor, she told him that he had the next three weeks to go do something, something fun, as these would probably be the last “good” three weeks he would have. We packed our bags and headed to The Great Wolf Lodge with the grandkids, and let me tell you, it was the best two days ever!! He had a blast.
When we returned from our little get away, he had his final appointment at Roswell Park, as he wanted to be home with his family and not in a hospital. He is currently home under Hospice Care. God has been so good to him, but he has his good days and bad days.
We all believe in God’s sovereignty. My mom, family, and friends have been prayerful, supportive, and have faith in God, but you can imagine the enormous emotional and financial burden cancer treatment brings. I pray that we all can help my mom and dad at this time of need.
I pray this GoFundMe and prayer request has some benefits… to show my mom and dad that our hearts and prayers are with them and that they don’t have to walk through this challenging journey alone; to assist with the large expenses that have been needed to support dad’s care; to pray for God’s will for my dad; strength and peace for my mom.
We appreciate anything that you can do; every little bit helps. As you can imagine, your prayers and good wishes are also very important and appreciated.
Please feel free to leave a note or a memory you have of Dad, as I will share with him and my Mom as they are memorialized.
Thank you so, so much for your support, love, and prayers during this difficult time. We are forever grateful for each one of you. Remember every little bit helps.
With God’s love and faith in Him,
Kristen
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” - Revelation 21-6
Dennis Barberio is known to many. Some may describe him as a tinker, some as a story teller, but many say he is an honorable man. His time spent in Roswell were nothing but long, stressful days. After many rounds of chemo, he received a blood transfusion, and by the Grace of God a bone marrow donor was found. He shortly went into remission for 3 years, and during that time he lived his life to the fullest. He started taking ministry classes and continued with his one true passion, umpiring. As far back as I can remember, his dream was to umpire the Big Leagues. That dream lead him to Cooperstown, where he has been changing lives of little kids for the last 10 years.
In 2015 his cancer returned, and we were told it was worse than it was the first time. He went through many rounds of chemo and radiation. Again, after months of treatments, he re-entered the world of umpiring. He spent the summer months in Cooperstown, umpiring game after game and returning home with endless stories that I will forever treasure.
Spring of 2016 we stopped all chemo treatments, as my dad’s quality of life was fading. But cancer didn’t stop him from living! That summer he returned to Cooperstown, knowing in his heart that this would probably be his last time there. With God’s grace and strength, he spent 7 weeks there, and he didn’t want to come home. God truly watched over him that summer and guided him home safely to us.
October 2016 he re-entered Roswell Park, and we thought it was the end. The cancer returned and was in full force. His doctor told us he might have 6-8 months, but she was not sure. She said she would be surprised if he made it through the holidays.
But God….
Once again God had other plans for my Dad. We shared some incredible birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas memories. Ones I will cherish for always.
As the new year approached us, he said he was done with chemo treatments, because it just wasn’t doing anything anymore. We were told that the cancer was gone, but it would return, and when it did, it would be worse than it was in October.
At his last appointment with his doctor, she told him that he had the next three weeks to go do something, something fun, as these would probably be the last “good” three weeks he would have. We packed our bags and headed to The Great Wolf Lodge with the grandkids, and let me tell you, it was the best two days ever!! He had a blast.
When we returned from our little get away, he had his final appointment at Roswell Park, as he wanted to be home with his family and not in a hospital. He is currently home under Hospice Care. God has been so good to him, but he has his good days and bad days.
We all believe in God’s sovereignty. My mom, family, and friends have been prayerful, supportive, and have faith in God, but you can imagine the enormous emotional and financial burden cancer treatment brings. I pray that we all can help my mom and dad at this time of need.
I pray this GoFundMe and prayer request has some benefits… to show my mom and dad that our hearts and prayers are with them and that they don’t have to walk through this challenging journey alone; to assist with the large expenses that have been needed to support dad’s care; to pray for God’s will for my dad; strength and peace for my mom.
We appreciate anything that you can do; every little bit helps. As you can imagine, your prayers and good wishes are also very important and appreciated.
Please feel free to leave a note or a memory you have of Dad, as I will share with him and my Mom as they are memorialized.
Thank you so, so much for your support, love, and prayers during this difficult time. We are forever grateful for each one of you. Remember every little bit helps.
With God’s love and faith in Him,
Kristen
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” - Revelation 21-6
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristen Morello
Organizer
North Tonawanda, NY
Jeanette Barberio
Beneficiary
