Andrew De Maio Rec Room

In March of 2015,  our Father, Husband, Cousin, and Nephew, Andrew was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. To say this was a shock to all of us is an understatement. He was young (37), healthy and vibrant, and at the prime of his career. He did not for one moment show any fear and only showed his strength and dedication to fighting as hard as he could for himself and his family, while constantly offering help and guidance to others.

Over the next 3 years, Andrew’s life became lots of chemo + radiation + endless doctor appointments. He endured 2 aborted surgeries in Miami, one surgery in Kentucky which at the time was thought to be successful, to find out he had to go back for a fourth surgery which then was aborted due to spreading. Andrew remained positive and determined to beat the statistics throughout the process.

Unfortunately, earlier this year his fight took a turn for the worse and he started to decline. He never let on how he was feeling, how scared he was, and how hard all the surgery and chemo actually was on him mentally and physically, always keeping a brave face and positivity for the sake of his 13-year-old son Michael and wife Danit. In February of 2018 he, unfortunately, lost his battle with cancer, not from lack of effort, but because we believe he wanted his family to move on and live their lives without worrying about him. He never liked to put anyone out, or “inconvenience anyone” - which he showed until his last day.

Andrew never, ever wanted people to feel bad for him, never accepted a dollar of help from anyone and continued to work throughout the entire (almost) three years. Instead of accepting "charity" he wanted to help others. He uncharacteristically joined a Facebook support group where he shared so much of his experience and knowledge so that he could help as many people as possible. He became a big support system for families all over the world, as far as France, Germany, and England - spending much of his time answering questions and providing contacts to people and families that were searching for answers, even when he was at his worst.

Andrew was very involved in his synagogue and felt that it gave him strength, positivity and a bigger family unit for not only himself but Danit and Michael who to this day go there for support, and as a way to connect with him. We have decided that the best way to honor him was to give back to something that gave so much to him. We are working with his synagogue to make the "Andrew DeMaio Rec Room," a safe place for his son Michael and the other children to enjoy, and live life to the fullest. Please help up make this very special space that we think he would be very proud of. No donation is too little


You can also send your donation directly to the Synagogue. If you prefer to donate this way please message Danit for the address.


Thanks,
The Barmak and DeMaio Families