Message from President, Joe Garassino Foundation
Cancer touches the lives of many in our community and it seems we all know someone who is battling this illness or a family who has been affected. Cancer is the epidemic of our time.
In 2013, I lost my only son, Joe, to an aggressive and rare cancer. The Joe Garassino Foundation was established in my son’s memory to help others fighting cancer in the greater Waterbury, Connecticut area. Due to the donations and generosity of our greater community, we have made a real impact in our community. We have donated over $314,000 over the last 12 years to help over 102 local residents afflicted with cancer including:
- Sean Agunda - 30 years old
- Aiden Bigos - 9 years old
- Nicholas Burgio - 3 years old
- Liam Cahill - 7 years old
- Theresa Combs - 19 years old
- Sheila Cooper - loving wife
- Paul DeCarolis - Fireman
- Angelo DeFeo - 12 years old
- Jennifer Demuro - college student
- Téa Fernandez - 3 years old
- Matty Garcia - 8 years old
- Tim Gavallas - Policeman
- Javier Gonzalez - 16 years old
- Roosevelt Green - 21 years old
- Mitchell Kamph - 20 years old
- Brayden Marrero - 3 years old
- Jose Campanario - 16 years old, tennis player
- Josie Cavallo Cole - Mother, wife, LPN at VNA
- Annie Chicoine - mid 40s, Breast Cancer survivor
- Tom Cocchiola - 45 years old, father & husband
- Megan DiPietro - 36 years old, mom of 3 young children
- Steve Eazarsky - 41 years old, Watertown Golf Course
- Jayden Bracey - 15 years old, student
- Josie Cavallo-Cole - Mother, wife, LPN at VNA
- Katherine E. Consalvo - Watertown PTO, sports mom
- Anna Clement - Mother of 4
- Jay Fairhurst, 37 years old
- Jennifer Halpin, mother & wife
- Khloe Martinez - 6 years old
- Ethan McGettigan - 3 years old
- Linval Mills - 14 years old
- Kim Tobin-Mix - mother of two children
- Griffin Moore - 22 years old
- Christopher Norcera - 43 years old
- Greg O’Brien - Communications Supervisor for Watertown Police & Fire Deptarments
- Jacob Roger Poulin - 5 years old
- Duncan Ralicki - 15 years old
- Kathleen Santiso - dear friend
- Jon Seniors - 17 years old
- Andrea Strachan - single mom
- Xander White - 5 years old
- Dorota Wilk - Taft Graduate, CFO Rumsey Hall, Hill School & Hopkins School
- Jay Fairhurst - 37 years old, dear friend
- Jaden Edwards - 17 years old, attending Kaynor Tech
- Kendall Lord - 4 years old
- Brittney Mann - 29 years old
- Silas Matthew - 4 years old
- Bob Sinko - 58 years old, U.S. Navy
- Lynn White - 54 years old, single mom of 4 children
- Diane Currier - 55 years old
- Darik Pearson - Lead singer Darik & the Funbags
- Marty Pelosi - Dear friend
- Sophie Tzunam - 5 years old
- Scarlet Tzunam - 6 years old
- Edward Ladarola
- Cathy Scully - Watertown Principal & Teacher
- Fred Ariola
- Judy Umstead - Watertown Animal Control Officer
In Loving Memory:
Fred Ariola
Tom Cocchiola
Katherin E. Consalvo
Sheila Cooper
Paul DeCarolis
Josie Cavallo-Cole
John Donato
John Duffany
Steven Eazarsky
Jaden Edwards
Kimberly Geremia
Edward Iadarola
Kendall Lord
Christopher Norcera
Jacob Roger Poulin
Lou Razza
Kathy Scully
Matthew Semple
Bob Sinko
Lynn White
The Joe Garassino Foundation has also supported local organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Harold Leever Cancer Center of Waterbury, CT, the Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT, and the TargetCancer Foundation.
The hole in my own heart will never heal, but together we can make a difference in the lives of families in our local community. Thank you for your help; without your generosity, compassion and contribution, none of this would be possible.
Sincerely Yours,
Mike Garassino
President, Joe Garassino Foundation
