In memory of Michael Begley

Eleven years ago at age 45, Michael was diagnosed with IPF and was told he had to get a double lung transplant or he could die within a year.  He was immediately put on the lung transplant waiting list and in May of 2009,  he finally received the transplant. He was on the road to recovery  until 2015, when he was diagnosed with skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, on his forehead. He had surgery to remove the cancerous lesion. We were told that the cancer was most likely caused by the post-transplant medications he had been taking, which compromised his immune system.  In February of 2018, the skin cancer returned with a vengeance and metastasized quickly to his head and neck.  Since then, he underwent five  surgeries in order to remove the lesions on his face, head and neck which kept growing back.  He  spent the next year and and a half  undergoing  approximately 60 radiation treatments to his head and neck, three different types of chemo and numerous doctors'  visits. The radiation treatments made it difficult for him to swallow anything but liquids, affected his speech, and caused facial disfigurement.  He also lost vision in his left eye.  In July of 2019, he decided to stop treatment and live out the rest of his days with his family and friends at home.  He passed away peacefully on November 18, 2019.

Everyone that met Michael immediately liked and respected him. As we all know, he was always a selfless, giving and kind person to everyone he met.  His will to survive was mostly due to his love for his wife, Carol, and daughter, Kimberly.  His  goal and desire was to see his daughter graduate college in June of 2020. He was very proud that she was planning to continue on to law school, but knew that if he passed away, it would be financially difficult, if not impossible.  He did not want to be the reason why she could not fulfill her dreams. He never wanted his illness  to impact her future. That was his greatest fear.  He fought a very long and difficult fight in order to survive. His doctors said he outlived their expectations which they attributed to his positive attitude, humor and love for his family.  It was extremely important to him that his family go on with their lives and fulfill their dreams as much as they could.  

Therefore, in his memory, in lieu of flowers or donations to the cancer society, we are asking for contributions to Kimberly's continuing education fund so that she will be able to fulfill her dreams of attending law school this September.

Thank you all for supporting the Begley family through this 12 year journey. 

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