[Schoker]

I have never posted on this forum but my dad was an avid poster, a few of you might remember him, his name was Steve Allen. I dont know if it breaks any of the forum rules by posting it on the website but I felt the need to make sure his friends knew what happened.

My dad spent the last nine months dealing with cancer. He was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer with 6 months given to live. During this battle with various cancer centers in NY because he was a snowbird, came to the conclusion that he did not want to go anywhere else in the world besides the villages. My mother asked him whats your bucket list? His response was The villages and driving around in my golf cart. Nothing made him happier then the place, lifestyle, and people of the villages it was truly a dream come true for him. My mother persisted, not italy? china? exotic lands and things you've never seen? His answer remained the same the villages.

With that being said, if my father were given the opportunity to live out his remaining while undergoing treatment in the Villages without having to travel to Tampa or Gainesville for the big places, he would have been as happy as could be.

I dont care about the politics of the center, whose gonna pay for what, what will be covered, what wont. I will glady donate any amount of money I can economically afford to give other dads and grandparents the opportunity to live in paradise and be treated for such a terrible disease. I dont care if the treatment was not as good as other places, being in the villages while dieing would have made dieing alot less painful for my father.

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by Schoker

I have never posted on this forum but my dad was an avid poster, a few of you might remember him, his name was Steve Allen. I dont know if it breaks any of the forum rules by posting it on the website but I felt the need to make sure his friends knew what happened.

My dad spent the last nine months dealing with cancer. He was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer with 6 months given to live. During this battle with various cancer centers in NY because he was a snowbird, came to the conclusion that he did not want to go anywhere else in the world besides the villages. My mother asked him whats your bucket list? His response was The villages and driving around in my golf cart. Nothing made him happier then the place, lifestyle, and people of the villages it was truly a dream come true for him. My mother persisted, not italy? china? exotic lands and things you've never seen? His answer remained the same the villages.

With that being said, if my father were given the opportunity to live out his remaining while undergoing treatment in the Villages without having to travel to Tampa or Gainesville for the big places, he would have been as happy as could be.

I dont care about the politics of the center, whose gonna pay for what, what will be covered, what wont. I will glady donate any amount of money I can economically afford to give other dads and grandparents the opportunity to live in paradise and be treated for such a terrible disease. I dont care if the treatment was not as good as other places, being in the villages while dieing would have made dieing alot less painful for my father.

Very beautifully said Schoker. He must have been very proud of you. I hope with each passing day your grief grows smaller and the good memories of your father grow stronger. All the best to you, your family and friends, B.K. Cunningham

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Schoker

I have never posted on this forum but my dad was an avid poster, a few of you might remember him, his name was Steve Allen. I dont know if it breaks any of the forum rules by posting it on the website but I felt the need to make sure his friends knew what happened.

My dad spent the last nine months dealing with cancer. He was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer with 6 months given to live. During this battle with various cancer centers in NY because he was a snowbird, came to the conclusion that he did not want to go anywhere else in the world besides the villages. My mother asked him whats your bucket list? His response was The villages and driving around in my golf cart. Nothing made him happier then the place, lifestyle, and people of the villages it was truly a dream come true for him. My mother persisted, not italy? china? exotic lands and things you've never seen? His answer remained the same the villages.

With that being said, if my father were given the opportunity to live out his remaining while undergoing treatment in the Villages without having to travel to Tampa or Gainesville for the big places, he would have been as happy as could be.

I dont care about the politics of the center, whose gonna pay for what, what will be covered, what wont. I will glady donate any amount of money I can economically afford to give other dads and grandparents the opportunity to live in paradise and be treated for such a terrible disease. I dont care if the treatment was not as good as other places, being in the villages while dieing would have made dieing alot less painful for my father.

Thank you for coming here. We certainly remember your father and have spent the day thinking about him and your family. I echo BkCunningham's hope that your grief will become less over time and that your memories will help somehow to comfort you. Sincere condolences to you and your mother and to the rest of your family. I am not surprised that Steve's son would be a wonderful man. God Bless.

[redwitch]

I had not thought of the proposed cancer center in personal terms -- only financial. Thank you for taking the time to put it into perspective. While I had not planned to donate any monies, I will now definitely do so. Thank you.

I truly liked your father. He was a good man. I am so sorry for your loss. We all lost a man who was kind, had a wonderful sense of humor and welcomed all.

[Tom Hannon]

I wasn't a TOTV member and /or Villager until recently and I never talked to your Dad on this wonderful web site. From what I hear from others, he was a wonderful man and I feel cheated in life having not known him. A great loss and everyone is saddend by his loss, especially at such an early age.

[K9-Lovers]

My father also passed away too young--age 57. That was 23 years ago and there's not a day goes by that I don't think of him. But now my memories are joyful. Your grief will get better with time. My heart is with you and your family.

[2BNTV]

Thank you for taking the time to post. My deepest sympathies go to you and your family.

Even when one knows a loved on is going to pass away doesn't make the day it happens any easier to bear.

I hope that as each day passes the pain gets a little less.

[golfnut]

Steve was a wonderful man and as they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, my deepest condolences and thanks for posting.....gn