Lives Lost

Dennis Michael Leahy
3/22/1949 – 3/29/2004

Dennis Michael Leahy was born on March 22, 1949 and died just after his 55^th birthday. After growing up in Manhattan, Dennis and his wife Delia moved to Woodside, Queens to raise their family. Dennis earned a living as an electrician for the I.B.E.W. Local Union #3. He raised two children Craig and Meagan, and one of his proudest moments was watching them graduate from Fordham University and Loyola College of Maryland. Dennis overcame many obstacles in his life, but unfortunately melanoma was not one of them. After fighting melanoma for ten months, he succumbed to the vicious cancer on his wife’s birthday on March 29, 2004. Throughout his entire battle, Dennis always kept his sense of humor, remained optimistic and kept his faith in God’s hands. Dennis is survived by his wife Delia, his two children, Craig and Meagan, many brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Not a day goes by that his presence, humor, smile, and overall disposition is not sorely missed by all.

Harvey Goldberg
10/19/56-10/3/99

In Loving Memory of Harvey Goldberg

Harvey was 34 when, at the beach, his friend pointed out a suspicious looking mole on his back. A visit to the dermatologist confirmed melanoma, and surgery followed. Although given a scare, Harvey thought he had escaped the cancer. He continued enjoying life, his kids, and his work as a partner in a Manhattan CPA firm. He and his wife, Lisa, even went on to have a third child.

In early 1997, a couple of months past his 40th birthday, he felt a lump under his arm. The melanoma had traveled to his lymph nodes. Surgery followed, as did a full year of interferon injections. Unfortunately, although his body seemed clear, the melanoma had traveled to his brain. Doctors treated Harvey aggressively. He wanted to live more than anything, and seemed very strong. He endured gamma-knife radiation, brain surgeries, and whole brain radiation. At the end, chemotherapy was tried, with no success.

Harvey died at home on October 3, 1999. He left a wife, and 3 children aged 6, 9, and 12. His children were his pride and joy. As his sister, I miss him terribly. When we were kids we often thought about how old we would be in the millennium year. Harvey never made it. He did spend a lot of time in the sun as a child and teen, and he paid for that with his life. I hope that people will learn from all those that have died so young, and protect themselves and their children from the sun.

Doug Gorman 1962 – 2007

In Memory Of

“The true spirit of our great friend Doug Gorman is captured in this photo snapped six months before he lost his courageous two year battle against Metastatic Melanoma at the young age of 45. He did what he loved until the end, keeping active while hanging out with his beloved daughter Shane on the right and her friend Paige in the middle. Doug was the most optimistic, adventurous and caring friend one could ever hope for. A Veterinarian by trade, he loved all animals and developed a stellar reputation in his field. He also cherished the time spent with a close circle of family, friends and especially his daughter Shane. All of their lives were enriched by the wonderful outdoor adventures Doug led them on. Whether it was hiking, kayaking, biking, skiing, running or boating, a day spent with Doug was always an invigorating experience. He always said he wanted to be remembered, not in sadness, but for all the terrific times spent together. He particularly enjoyed a classic sunset and its afterglow. So, each time we are blessed with a beautiful sunset, we smile and thank Doug for having been a part of our lives.”

Dave Gugerty, Friend

In Loving Memory Of Kathy Pufahl
12/17/58 – 10/13/03

Many people remember Kathy Pufahl for her creative ability. Her innovative designs changed the look of American gardens. It is said the Kathy’s contributions have made a lasting impression on the horticulture industry. Dubbed the “queen of containers,” she was a visionary who took the ordinary and reintroduced it in extraordinary ways. That was also the way Kathy lived her life. She had joyfulness and a quick laugh that was contagious to all who knew and loved her. Despite being the subject of dozens of magazine articles and numerous television appearances, what she accomplished was secondary to who she was. She was a loving, dedicated mother to teenagers, Tyler and Torie and wife to high school sweetheart, Kevin Cande. She was the devoted daughter of Florence and Joseph Pufahl and sister to John, Joseph, and Robert. Kathy led her family as they worked together for school reform. She initiated significant fundraisers for the Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Kathy was diagnosed with melanoma in 1990. It metastasized thirteen years later. During her short, fierce 10-month battle with melanoma, Kathy persisted, never letting her illness stop her from being a vital presence at school, soccer games and in her greenhouses. By all measures, the world is a better place because of Kathy’s boundless love and energy. We miss her dearly.

Laura Jean Dunn
01/26/63

Laura J. Dunn (maiden name, Southoff) of Hampton Bays, Long Island died in her home on Friday, May 3,^rd2002 after a battle with Melanoma Skin Cancer. She was 39. Prior to the reoccurrence of her illness, Mrs. Dunn was a medical biller for Dr. Mark Creighton of Hampton Bays. She was also the treasurer of the Hampton Bays PTA. She is survived by her husband John D. Dunn Jr. and their son, Stephen (10 years old).

Laura was a beautiful woman and a wonderful mother. We all miss her.

William C. Schiela 1954-2006

Bill was a loving man, husband and father. In their 20 year marriage, he provided the support and foundation for his wife, Deidre. As a devoted father to Courtney, Samantha and BJ, he was very active in their lives. He drove them to and from school, helped them with their homework, and encouraged them to do the best they could in every endeavor. He most liked to watch his children play sports, and perform in school concerts and plays. As their biggest fan, he was always present at their activities and was so proud of their achievements. Bill was well known in the community as someone who was always willing to lend a hand and, without fanfare or attention, could get things done; he was a master at organization. He served on the Board of the East Williston Little League and coached baseball, softball and soccer. With his infectious smile and clever mind, he loved to make people laugh and feel at ease. In 2005, Bill was diagnosed with melanoma on his big, right toe. After surgery to remove his toe, he fought valiantly through the debilitating interferon treatments for a year. As Bill and his family were looking forward to the end of his treatments in June 2006, he learned that the cancer had spread to his brain, lungs and liver. That summer, he underwent brain surgery to remove the largest tumor. However, because of the extensive spread of the cancer, Bill lost his battle with the cancer one month later and he passed away in September 2006.

Diana M. Shannon
9/19/55 – 10/31/05
Her Legacy of Hope Lives On Through
Her Family and Friends

Melissa K. Bambino
1975 – 2003

In Loving Memory

January 2001 Melissa Bambino, age 26 was diagnosed with Melanoma. In spite of surgery and follow up treatment, the following November Melissa had a seizure. In the fall of 2003 Melissa’s cancer had spread not only to her brain but to additional lymph nodes, her liver and her spine.

Three days before Christmas Melissa was admitted to hospital. On Christmas Eve she slipped into a coma and died two days later surrounded by her family, holding her hands and hugging her. In her honor the Melissa K. Bambino Melanoma Foundation has been created. Melissa’s story: www.melissafund.org

Gaetano R. Antonacci
07/10/1948 – 09/19/2008

The simplest things were always the most important to my father – eating dinner with his family; having some drinks outside with the neighbors; watching a baseball game with me. He lived for those moments, and they were the motivators that helped him maintain a courageous outlook through his struggle with cancer. Despite the punishment from the disease and its treatment, my father sought to conquer his illness right through his final days. He understood the importance of being there to dance with my sister, Katrina, at her wedding. He longed to see another sister of mine, Mary, complete her journey of self-discovery though education and ambition.

He battled for as long as possible if only because it afforded him more time to spend with the love of his life, my mother Kathy. There is a quote by former N.C. State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, a New Yorker and Italian-American himself that seems to embody the resilience my father maintained:

“Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.”

My father was a man who loved and savored life long before his illness, and he refused to let anything get in the way of that.

~Chris Antonacci

Mary Ann Eisner
12/6/1957 – 3/12/2003

In Loving Memory Of Mary Ann Eisner

Mary Ann was diagnosed with Melanoma quite by accident in 1998, at age 40, when she went to the Doctor for a routine removal of a hemorrhoid. She battled for 4 years and 10 months, undergoing every FDA approved treatment, plus 3 clinical trials and 5 surgeries. Despite it all the disease spread to her lungs and eventually throughout her body. She battled bravely every bit of the way and always tried to educate people who thought that skin cancer was no big deal. She passed away on March 12, 2003 and to this day no Doctor ever could pinpoint where the Melanoma began only that by the time it was picked up it was internal which severely limited her chances of being able to beat it. She leaves behind a devastated husband and two children (Samantha and Justin) who cannot understand how someone who appeared so healthy for much of the battle was just taken away so quickly at the end.

She was not simply a big part of our lives she was our life!

Cory Eisner