ConnectLife Blog

William L. Ellis of North Tonawanda became an eye donor upon his passing on June 26, 2017. Known to friends as Bill, he was married to his wife Sharon for nearly 30 years. Bill’s daughter Amanda Borellis mentioned that he loved music and spending time in nature. “His love of the outdoors likely started when he was a Boy Scout as a child,” she said. “He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, hiking ­– his favorite place was Yosemite National Park.” His musical tastes were ecl

Colton Lasker of Hamburg became an organ donor upon his passing on June 23, 2016. He was 23. His mother, Rebecca Barnell, shared this remembrance. Colton, my boy, it’s so hard to explain how amazing he was. He to me was bright from inside his soul. He was so loving and tender even though he was strong and courageous. He loved literature, all kinds, but was drawn to poetry most of all. It connected him to who he was inside so he knew he wasn’t alone in his wise and amazing way

This story was submitted by the family of John Tomizzi, Jr. Our father, John Tomizzi, Jr., was a dreamer who spent most of his life in the pursuit of success. Whether it was in business, in his relationship with family and friends, or in his relationship with God, our father always wanted to be successful. He wanted to leave a legacy in life - something for his wife, children and grandchildren to look back on and be proud of. Even though he was not a perfect man - like all

Peter Betz of Rome, NY became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing in September 2016. “Peter was a loving man, he gave all to his friends and family,” recalled his wife Irene. “He loved his motorcycle and helping me with our huge garden and vegetable stand. He always helped people.” Known to many friends as “Dickie,” he was a US Air Force veteran and a member of the American Legion. “At the wake, everyone said how he helped them when their loved ones passed,” said Irene.

We knew that Justin would want to be an organ donor. During his life, he was always trying to help others and now in his death he was giving the gift that would save lives. We know that his big caring heart is beating in another man, his lungs, liver and kidneys were able to go to some very special people. There are two people that are seeing the world through his eyes. These people are in our prayers every day.

Cecelia M. Jasinski became a tissue donor upon her passing on December 15, 2012. Cecelia was a loving mother of four and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She also had many great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She and her late husband Henry had made their home in Sloan. “She was amazing,” said her daughter Karen, remembering her mother as someone who cared about people and worked hard. Cecelia was active at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Sloan and was in

Justin Sweeney became an organ, eye and tissue donor after his passing on March 8, 2016. His mother Kelly shared this remembrance: The greatest gifts anyone can receive are the gifts of life and love. On August 8, 2008 I was given both of these when my son, Justin Marcus Sweeney, was born. When I held him in my arms for the first time, I looked straight into his eyes and fell in love with him. His blue eyes sang a song of their own, without any words. It was as if you could h

Joseph P. Nicosia of Corfu became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing on December 23, 2015. His family shared this remembrance. Joe loved spending time with his family. He loved when the kids and their friends filled the house – they played games into the evening hours. He was proud of his children and what they had accomplished. He knew all three of them had a bright future ahead of them. Joe was a strong and healthy man. He was born February 25, 1960 to Emmanuel and K

When Ed Draves learned that he could save a life by being a living organ donor, he was glad to give. “It’s one of the better decisions that I’ve ever made,” Ed said of his choice to donate a kidney. A lifelong Western New York resident, Ed and his wife have a son and daughter. He has worked as a wine salesman for 26 years. Ed is a member of Western Star Masonic Lodge No. 1185 in Lackawanna. He joined "to work with other people for the common good. There's a lot of charity wor

Bradley James Fagan became an organ donor upon his passing in October 2015. His mother Emily shared this remembrance. Bradley James Fagan only lived two months before he became an organ donor. Bradley was born on August 26, 2015. He was so handsome, so smart, so lovey and just such a great baby. He was so special, he brought family and friends that has not been connected for years all back together. He came home on August 28 and everything was great. He was good for most nigh

Louis M. DiGiacomo of Kenmore became an organ donor upon his passing in November 2014. Nicole Wilson, to whom he was engaged, shared this remembrance. On August 24, 2011, three days after proposing to me, Lou DiGiacomo, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of 29. It is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Although it robbed him of walking, talking and eventually breathing, his organs and tissue remained healthy. The topic of o

Cassandra “Cassie” Blair of Alden became an organ donor upon her passing in February 2013. Her mother Jackie Jurek shared this remembrance. Cassandra Mary Blair was born on March 31, 1992. She was the only child to her father and mother but had two half-sisters and a half-brother on mom’s side that she lived with and a half-sister and step-sister on dad’s side. Cassie was witty, intelligent, independent, compassionate, loving, beautiful, kind, and big hearted. Cassandra was a

Ryan Sojda of West Seneca became an organ and tissue donor upon his passing in March 2014. His parents Toni Lynn and Kevin shared this remembrance. Ryan Eric, “Our Hero, Our Warrior” Back in 1987 as we prepared for the birth of our first child, Kevin and I were looking at baby names. Kevin was absolutely certain we were having a boy and wanted to make sure that he had a strong name. As we looked at names and their meanings he found Ryan, which means “The King”, “A Warrior.” F

Jesse Smith of Buffalo was a loving husband, father and grandfather. “He enjoyed providing for the family,” said his wife Dixie. “He was an avid fisherman with the Eastside Angler's Fishing Club,” she remembered.

When he passed away on February 20, 2009, Raymond Ott was 78 years old. He became an eye and tissue donor.

Robert Schultz became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon his passing on January 23, 2010. His wife Colleen shared this remembrance: Tangerine Lifesavers On our first date we saw Saturday Night Fever. Rob leaned over and asked me if I would like a tangerine Lifesaver. I said yes and the rest was our future. Rob was graduating college soon and he often joked that he would have never made it if I hadn’t typed all of his papers. Rob graduated with a B.A. in Social Work. He also

Scott E. Lewis became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon his passing on July 31, 2009 at the age of 50. Mr. Lewis worked as a welder with the Operating Engineers Local 545 in Syracuse and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a father and grandfather. His daughter Tabatha shared this remembrance: My dad was a huge NASCAR fan. He wore many hats as to what he did for work. He was a welder and a heavy machinery mechanic. He was a father to four amazing kids. I want everyone to

Zachary E. Dueger, a graduate of the Park School and a senior at the University of Buffalo, became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing on November 19, 2008. His parents, Pat and Bill, shared this remembrance: Heroism is defined as someone who demonstrates courage and is admired for his brave deeds and qualities. That truly fits our son Zachary. He was a healthy 22-year-old going to UB and working part time parking cars at Sabres games and other events. He loved his grand

Jillian Olivia Williams of Hamburg became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon her passing on March 9, 2011. Her mother, Deanne Mills, shared this remembrance: When my daughter, Shelby, nominated her sister and best friend, Jillian, to be a Unyts Hero, I was touched. When I learned that she was chosen for the month of October, her birth month, and also the month in which her sister had already been planning a Celebration of Life in her honor, something inside me stirred and I

Tammy Marie Goffin shared this remembrance: October 15, 1996. This is the day my daughter Nicolle Mae died and with the ceasing of her breath became a hero. As a new nursing graduate I was familiar with the organ donation process, although I never thought it would apply to me! Things like this aren’t supposed to happen, children don’t die before their parents… or so I thought. Nicolle was a lively, sweet, compassionate 5-year-old who loved big trees, her baby brother Josh, Ba