Dear Darren,
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I write to you. Mom and I were so very happy when you were born on that stormy Sunday morning on June 1st. Throughout your life, you were a great son and we knew your fine character. You grew-up in a wonderful relationship with your sisters, Desi & Tara. There was no sibling rivalry, but rather a sharing, loving bond. Growing up in our home in Maspeth, you enjoyed playing sports, particularly wiffle ball in the back yard area, street hockey and Little League baseball. We often spoke of the no-hitter you hurled in the 4th grade. You did well at Our Lady of Hope School and at St. Francis Prep. You continued studying at Queens College, but your studies were interrupted when, at the age of 19, you were afflicted with a malignant brain tumor. You underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. You recovered very well and continued your undergraduate work at QC where you received your BA in 1998. Yes Darren, we were proud of your accomplishments, but most of all, your inner character - the way in which you led your life. You were never bitter, but instead kind, caring, compassionate and selfless. You loved us deeply – mom, your sisters, grandparents, nephews, niece and me. It is a fact that you said that you were glad you had cancer rather than any of your family members. Indeed you were charitable in word and deed and participated in several years of Relay for Life. You regularly made donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Your love of family extended to my wife, your uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. You treasured good relationships and many of your friends extended back to kindergarten and first grade. You had an absolutely incredible memory. You often would relate very detailed stories to family and friends dating back to your childhood and adolescent years. All of us knew you as an avid sports fan. You enthusiastically followed and routed for the Rangers, Yankees and Jets. I will always remember the time you and I were at Madison Square Garden at game seven of the NHL playoffs and witnessed the Rangers win the Stanley cup in ’94. Another great memorable time was not too long ago when we attended the Dukes of Hazard festival in Virginia where you met several of the show’s stars and sat in the “General Lee” cars. You loved to make people smile and laugh and were able to converse with anyone. As a high school teacher, you used your wit and humor with your students. Your love of math was demonstrated often and you challenged students as well as relatives and friends with math problems.
The last seven months of your life were extremely challenging as your cancer redeveloped. You went through horrific times and a lesser person would have been resentful and would have given up. Through it all, you kept us very proud. One of our consolations during that time was that we were able to demonstrate our love for you and tell you how much we loved you. God mercifully took your life, but not before you received Reconciliation and the Last Rites. We were with you to the very end. You will always be with us. I love you so very much.
Dad

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