Memorial & Medical Expenses for Jim Verone

Dear Kindly Reader,

Writing this took me two glasses of Jameson and a box of tissue. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading the story of my panda bear, mentor, forever hero....my Dad, Jim/Jimmy/James Verone.

My name is Adrienn Verone; born in September 1985 to Jim and Terry Verone, the most incredible parents a girl could ask for. My Dad was a Paramedic/Firefighter and 911 dispatcher; telling you he loved what he did for a living would be an understatement! But through all his shifts, overtime, holidays, and birthdays worked, he always found time for his family. He made sure he was home every Halloween to take me trick-or-treating, he took me on my first roller-coast ride at Cedar Point, sparking a love for thrill rides that has stuck with me ever since. He went to dance recitals, volleyball games, symphony/band concerts and football games (I was in the marching band). He was my biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader.

Even though loving my dad was easy, he developed health issues early on, creating quite the rocky road to follow. In 1997 he was scheduled for a “routine” angioplasty that turned into triple bypass heart surgery. In 2002 he hyperextended his knee on a routine chimney call requiring multiple knee surgeries leading to a partial knee replacement. Along the way, there was another knee replacement, lipoma removal that caused him to lose the use of his left arm from the elbow down, gallbladder surgery, and the list goes on. However, in 2017 he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver (non-alcoholic) and our lives were once again flipped upside down. But through it all, my dad never lost hope, he never complained, never lost his sense of humor, he continued to stay strong and was a true fighter. Even during his last days in the hospital (a total of 31 days), he continued to fight to come home to his family.

Somehow, I knew time with my dad was limited… That I needed to love him as hard as I could for as long as I could. I was blessed with 36 years of dad jokes, unconditional support, love, the best laugh/laughter, and amazing Italian food.

If you’ve gotten this far in my story, thank you for sticking with me. It's extremely difficult to ask for donations, especially with the cost of gas and groceries being astronomical. My family and I truly understand if you’re unable to donate, but I would ask that you share my story of this remarkable man who gave back as much as he could and as often as he could.

We’re hoping to raise $5,000 in funds to pay for memorial costs, unexpected medical bills and unforeseen costs related to his health. Any additional funds raised above what we’re asking for will be donated to an organization near and dear to my dad’s heart.

All my love,

Adrienn