Help raise funds for Willy Joseph Cancels family

Valor - great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. This one single word says so much about an individual.

On March 3rd, 2022, our son, Willy Cancel, made the decision to put himself in the face of danger in order to protect the innocent. He said, “I have to do it because nobody else will.”

On April 26th, his wife got the worst call of her life, “Your husband fought bravely but unfortunately he did not make it.” He was just 22 years old. In his short life he chose time and time again to be a true hero: he was an infantry United States Marine Corps (USMC), a volunteer fireman in Walden, NY, a prison guard, a father, a son, a brother, and so much more. Our entire family is simply distraught and we have no idea how to continue.

Willy leaves behind his wife, Brittany, also a former USMC, and his 7 month old son, Anthony. Since that April 26th phone call, her life has completely fallen apart and now she has to figure out how to build it back together, to figure out how to raise her son without his father or financial support. As a family, we are trying to support them as much as possible and be there for each other, but Brittany and Anthony will need more than what we can provide.

So we are starting this fundraiser to help Willy’s family and alleviate some of the financial burden that Brittany, now a widow and single mother, is facing at young the age of 22. She lost her rock, her best friend, her partner and Anthony’s father. And while babies are expensive, Anthony deserves to have the necessities. He will grow up without a father, a father who was brave and selfless and whose life was senselessly lost. While he will grow knowing that his father died a hero, we know this will not be easy. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no child should have to grow up without a parent. We graciously ask for any help possible to help support Willy’s wife and son, any donations offered are deeply appreciated. We thank you for your support in this extremely difficult time.