Allow me to shine a light on the benevolence of humanity that exists among us.

In the early 1980’s I met a fella named Dean who like me, was an EMT. We both volunteered for the same EMS / Ambulance service, but worked opposing shifts. Dean was also a volunteer firefighter in the mid 1980’s when I joined the same fire department briefly until the demands of my professional EMS job and subsequent transition into a law enforcement career interfered with my ability volunteer.

Throughout the years that followed, Dean and I worked together in our respective capacities; he as a firefighter, me as a police officer – house fires, serious auto crashes, medical calls, weather events, gas leaks, industrial accidents and a host of other incidents. Now, nearly 40 years later Dean and I are both retired; me from law enforcement and Dean from his position as a professional firefighter. Dean however, continues his service as an active volunteer firefighter.

The entire time I have known Dean I have always held him in high regard for his professional skills & knowledge, integrity, honesty, compassion and his genuine personality. Dean is a man with a heart of gold! Dean however, did not cultivate his golden heart on his own. In fact, that credit goes to his high school sweetheart and wife, Joann who shaped Dean long before I ever knew him! These two core-valued people compliment each other like a pair of well crafted book ends – spending a lifetime giving of themselves – to each other, their community and the beautiful family they created and shaped into respectful, loving and productive members of society who now have families of their own.

So, by now you’re wondering… what is the point being made? Well, I just wanted to provide perspective on these two special people – modest, principled, hard-working, selfless people. Here’s why:

A few days ago Dean called me and asked… “Can Joann and I stop over?”. I said sure!

Dean and Joann arrived and we all sat at the kitchen table and began chatting. It didn’t take long until the topic of conversation transitioned to Tyler’s indelible spirit, determination and insistent plan to create private rooms for children being treated for cancer. We didn’t know it at the time – but this was the groundwork that would create Tyler DeMarco Foundation.

Dean explained how he and Joann were greatly touched as they followed Tyler’s story over the course of those 4 difficult years (2006 – 2010). Dean went on to say that Tyler left an impression that he and Joann have never forgotten. Actually, I had already known this since Dean and I have had these conversations and shed tears during them over the last 10 years since Tyler’s passing. Besides, Dean and Joann have been regular monetary supporters of the foundation, sponsors of our ‘Fore Hope’ Golf Tournaments and participants in other foundation fundraising efforts. I know they believe in our (Tyler’s) mission! Our conversation then lead to Tyler’s last Christmas (2009) when his schoolmates, school band and teachers arrived in buses at our home. Trailing behind the buses was a fire truck carrying a heavy potted Christmas tree, someone dressed as Santa Clause and several firemen. Dean was one of those firemen who helped remove the potted Christmas tree from the fire truck and presented it to Tyler in our front yard.

As we continued to sit and talk at the kitchen table Dean suddenly hesitated and said: “Joann and I have always wanted to do more”. With that said, Joann reached into her pocket and handed us a personal check made out to Tyler DeMarco Foundation in the amount of $10,000.00!

After a few tears we went outside and stood in front of “Tyler’s Tree of Hope” – the same Christmas tree Dean helped deliver on that December afternoon. That tree now stands alone as the centerpiece surrounded by beautiful flowers in Tyler’s Memory Garden – also called the ‘Garden of Tears’.

THANK YOU, JOANN & DEAN RONCA!
For your amazing love and support and for never forgetting our Amazing Tyler and his mission …
“Making a Difference for Children with Cancer!”

With Immense Gratitude and Appreciation,
Don, Pam, Ryan, Sarah, Tyler (Always)
Tyler DeMarco Foundation