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Home  About Us  The Memorial Park  The Buried Truth  In Memory Of  Articles  Fatality Citations  Autopsy Reports  National Statistics  State Statistics  Become a Member  In the News  Our Physicians  Educational Links  Comments  Contact Us	Dr. Carole M. C. Paul Alton Massachusetts Dr. Carole M. C. (Paul) Alton was a resident of Pepperell, Massachusetts. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in dental surgery from the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1965, and a doctorate of medical dentistry from Tufts University in 1976.  From 1978 to 1991, she had a dental practice on Main Street in Groton and was a professor at Tufts Dental School through 2005. She was a dedicated sports fan and particularly loved skating and New England Revolution Soccer. According to family members, Mrs. Alton was involved in Dog Agility Competitions with her collie, Lola, and loved a wide range of music from Billy Idol to Rachmaninov. Alton died November 19, 2006, after a long battle with Lyme disease. Obituary published in the Lowell Sun on 11/24/2006.   James Andrew  Anderson 56 California James "Andy" Anderson was born in Bakersfield, and resided in Santa Barbara, California. He served in the US Coast Guard from 1968 to 1971, and then earned his degree in Business Finance from Cal State University in 1976. James was elected to "Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges" in the field of finance and was awarded the Wall Street Journal Award for Finance. Anderson died November 18, 2006, after a three year battle with Lyme disease and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities illness. Obituary published in the Bakersfield Californian on 12/3/2006.   Dr. Edward Stanley Arnold 54 Tennessee Edward Arnold was born in Clinton, Tennessee November 26, 1951. He attended Vanderbilt University, becoming a Psychiatrist after 8 years of studies. Eddie especially enjoyed baseball, fishing, and reading about the Civil War. In June, 2000, he contracted Lyme Disease and had not practiced medicine since. His last treatment was at Vanderbilt University. Arnold died February 25, 2006, after a six year battle with Lyme disease. Obituary published in the Knoxville News Sentinel on 2/28/2006.   Deiby Ashkenazy 23 Israel Deiby Ashkenazy contracted Lyme as a teenager visiting the USA. Back in Israel, when she became ill, she was misdiagnosed. Thinking she had autoimmune disease, she was treated repeatedly with steroids and got worse and worse. She became encephalopathic, went blind, became paralyzed below the waist, then developed arm weakness and bladder and swallowing difficulties. She finally was diagnosed with Lyme with a variety of positive tests on blood, CSF, and urine. Aggressive treatment helped her, but back in Israel she could not get this care. Apparently two weeks ago she slipped into a coma, and today she died.  * "Deiby's parents are as strong and caring as Deiby was sweet and cheerful. I consider it an honor to have known them all." -J.J. Burrascano Jr. M.D.   June L. Anderson Atkins 77 Pennsylvania June L. Anderson Atkins was born in Reiffton and was the wife of George T. Atkins for 45 years. June was a graduate of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing and worked at several hospitals before joining the U.S. Navy as an RN. She served at various Naval Hospitals both in the U.S. and overseas and is a Korean War Veteran. She resigned from the Navy as a Lieutenant USN (RN) to become a homemaker. She was very active with her community serving in many volunteer positions from Sunday school teacher to a docent for the Historical Society of Berks County. Atkins died July 19, 2000 at the Berkshire Center where she had been a patient. Her body is being donated to medical research for study of Vascular Dementia and Lyme disease from which she died.   Peter Anthony Banducci 45 California Peter Anthony Banducci was born on February 27, 1961 as one of six children. He attended school in the Mission area of Fremont and graduated in 1979. He studied automotive repair at a young age, and went to Ohlone College where he majored in business and met his future wife, Pamela. He went on to study many automotive courses and was an ASC certified Master Tech. On September 2, 1986, he independently opened Pete's Foreign Auto Repair. It is in its 21st year of business and continues to operate. Pete had the business certified as a Green Business and a AAA approved facility. His family meant everything to him. Some of his most enjoyable times were spent out on the boat with his family; celebrating family birthdays and holidays; baseball at Niles-Centerville Little League and was a big Giant's and A's fan; he enjoyed music, especially Michael McDonald and Chris Isaak; and last but not least he enjoyed his calls to his mom and Batman. Pete valued honesty, family, friends and the LORD and was cared for by his loved ones at home. Banducci died September 28, 2006, after a long battle with ALS and Lyme disease. * "The diseases may have destroyed his body, but did not destroy his mind and spirit, his love for the LORD and others." Obituary published in the ANG Newspapers on 10/21/2006.   Gregory Lee Bankert 56 Pennsylvania Greg Bankert was born September 11, 1950 and was the beloved husband of Tanya L. Bankert, with whom he celebrated 28 years of marriage. Greg formerly was a self-employed remodeling contractor. Being an outdoorsman, Greg enjoyed hunting with his daughter and grandson, and his family and friends. He also enjoyed NASCAR, fly-fishing and going camping at Poe Paddy State Park where he was most recently a campground host. Greg liked his ice cream and going on shopping trips. He enjoyed using his hands and God-given talent to create furniture and crafts for his family and friends. Greg was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dallastown, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. Bankert died at his home October 29, 2006, after a long battle with Lyme disease. * "He was a dear sweet man, who came faithfully to the York support group. Losing a husband and father to this disease is devastating." - Cathy Attig Obituary published in the York Daily Record & York Dispatch on 11/1/2006.   R. Gordon Basinger 62 Missouri R. Gordon Basinger was born July 11, 1940. He was an esteemed member of the aviation industry for over 30 years, president first of Gordon Aviation sales and then since 1979, president of Phase Two, Inc. Prior to that, among other professions, he was an aircraft mechanic, avionics technician, flight instructor, and commercial pilot for Ozark Airlines. He was also accomplished in athletics, certified scuba diver, formidable racquet ball player, and 4th degree black belt and instructor in Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate. Basinger Sensei's longtime illness began in the 1960s with Lyme Disease.  Since Lyme Disease had not yet even been named or discovered at that time, he went untreated.  He even checked into Mayo Clinic in the 1970s attempting to understand his symptoms, to no avail.  By the time he was finally diagnosed and treatment was available, the disease had advanced beyond the possibility of a cure.  His immune system became more and more severely compromised and, therefore, paved the way for cancer which was diagnosed in 1997.  He underwent various procedures and two years of chemo‑therapy, resulting in remission. In May, 2002, his cancer returned and had metastasized (spread).  After several months of additional chemotherapy and much excruciating pain, on December 12th he was told he had but a few weeks to live.  He still never gave up hope, faith or his commitment to battle illness.  The evening before he died he said to his wife, "They don't think I can, but I'm going to beat this!"  He was courageous, optimistic and determined to the end, which is no surprise to those who knew and admired this exceptional man.  He will be painfully missed. Basinger died December 27, 2002 of complications from bone cancer, secondary to Lyme disease. * "A person is never gone until he or she is forgotten."  If that is true, he will be with us always. - Kristina Carpenter Obituary published in the Karate STL on 12/27/2002.   Patricia Jones Bauman 73 Florida Patricia Jones Bauman, an artist and animal lover and former longtime Wiltonian resident, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. She grew up in Wynnewood, Pa., where she attended Baldwin School and later graduated from Bucknell University with a bachelor of science degree in biology. A talented artist, avid golfer and animal lover, she illustrated a book written by her husband in the early 1980s called "Plants as Pets." The family tended to more than 800 plants in their Hearthstone Lane home, most of which were stored in their greenhouse‑like basement and a small attached greenhouse.  The book, published by Dodd Mead, advised plant owners to treat their greenery like pets. She was an accomplished watercolorist and became very interested in plants while her husband was working on his book. She eventually contributed 30 pictures that were used in the book, including one for the cover.  "In order to draw them correctly, you have to look at them carefully," she told The Bulletin in an interview at the time. "It's a challenge." She and her family enjoyed summers in Kennebunk Beach, for more than 40 years. Bauman died November 24, 2003 at her home. Obituary published in the Seacoast Online on 1/2/2003.   Moonface Bear 35 Connecticut Moonface Bear was a Golden Hill Paugussett Indian. He led a faction of that Connecticut tribe in an armed standoff with state officials in 1993, becoming for a time a symbol of American Indian defiance of authority. Bear died on May 21, 1996 in a hospital in Norwich. The cause was leukemia, aggravated by Lyme disease, said his brother Quiet Hawk, the Paugussett's council chief. Obituary published in The New York Times on 5/23/1996.   Larry Bennett 50 Texas Larry Bennett, a former building inspector whose poor health had cost him his job and drained his finances was buried March 10 with the help of donations. By the time he was 50, Larry had been on life support three times, had several strokes, lost his job because of his health and spent all the money from his six‑figure income on medical expenses for him and his family. Bennett died February 26, 2005 from complications of Lyme disease. Obituary published in The Dallas Morning News on 3/18/2005.   Dr. John Bleiweiss 43 New Jersey Dr. Bleiweiss, a lyme patient himself, dedicated his career to helping over 1200 of the most seriously ill Lyme victims return to productive lives. He researched and published many articles in medical journals that still define the standard for treatment protocols and lead the way to diagnosis for many. He was well loved and respected by his patients who traveled from around the world to see him. Bleiweiss took his own life August 13, 1995, after being persecuted for treating patients with Lyme disease for seven years.   William Henry "Billy" Boesché 41 Maryland Billy Boesché was born in Bear Creak, Pennsylvania. He was the owner of CleanUps Unlimited, a landscaping and hauling business. Billy enjoyed spending time at the beach in Ocean City, working around the house and was considered the family historian. He was married for seventeen years to his wife Michele and will be remembered by many for his courage and kindness in the face of adversity. Boesché died June 10, 2006, at his home in Highland, Maryland, from complications of ALS and Lyme disease. Obituary published in The Washington Post on 6/17/2006.   Leo Bogart  84 New York Leo Bogart, was a Polish-born, former U.S. Army Intelligence officer in World War II. He authored more than a dozen books and hundreds of media trade journal articles. Dr. Bogart served as the executive vice president and general manager of the Newspaper Advertising Bureau; taught marketing at New York University, Columbia University and the Illinois Institute of Technology; and was a senior fellow at the Center for Media Studies at Columbia and a Fulbright research fellow in France. At the time of his death, Bogart was a director and senior consultant for Innovation, an international media consulting firm, and wrote a column for Presstime, the magazine of the Newspaper Association of America. Bogart died October 15, 2005, ten weeks after being diagnosed with babesiosis, a tickborne, malaria-like disease that destroys red blood cells. Obituary published in The New York Times on 10/19/2005.   Judith Ross Boynton 54 Connecticut Judith received her degree form the University of Pennsylvania and was a faculty member at Abington Friends School, the Ethel Walker School, Renbrook School and the Virginia Beach Friends School. She served as the head of the Town Hill School from 1992 to 1996. Wife to Richard FitzRandolph Boynton for 27 years, she also had two children. Boynton died October10, 2004 at Sharon Hospital of ALS secondary to chronic Lyme disease. Obituary published in The Republican-American on 10/13/2004.   Scott Brazil 50 California Scott Brazil was a two-time winner at both the Emmys and the Golden Globes and was an executive producer and director of FX's series "The Shield". In addition to the Golden Globe for "The Shield," Brazil shared in two outstanding drama series Emmys and one Golden Globe for "Hill Street Blues" in 1983 and '84. Brazil also directed episodes of "Grey's Anatomy," "JAG," "Nip/Tuck" and "CSI: Miami," among others. He was a co-executive producer of "Gideon's Crossing" and "L.A. Doctors" as well. "Scott was a tremendous man, a loyal friend, a creative producer and the best director we had. However, he rarely got the credit he deserved for all those things, because he never actively sought it out," says Shawn Ryan, creator of "The Shield." "The full range of his humanity and talents was fully known only to those of us who had the privilege of working side by side with him every day."  Peter Ligouri, the former president of FX who's now head of FOX, says it was an honor to have worked with Brazil. "I cannot think of anyone who engendered more affection, admiration and respect than Scott," Ligouri says. "He fiercely guarded the creative vision of 'The Shield' and zealously supported and loved all of his associates. He never drew attention to himself, and he deserves the ovation that we have for him in our hearts." He continued to work on "The Shield" while fighting ALS, using a motorized wheelchair to get around. Brazil died April 16, 2006 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles of complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Lyme disease. * "His loss is devastating to us personally and to the television industry, professionally." -Shawn Ryan Obituary published in The BBC News on 4/20/2006.   Ellen Kay Cary 7 Missouri Ellen Cary, the daughter of Eric and Harriet Smith Cary, was born March 4, 2000 in Hannibal, MO. She was a first grade student who liked to fish, draw and play with her friends and family. She attended Park United Methodist Church and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Cary died May 23, 2007 at Children's Hospital in St. Louis after a 10 day infection with Ehrlichiosis. * "Ellen was a Beautiful Little seven year old girl that was so full of life and always thought of everyone else." -Harriet Cary   William "Bill" Chinnock 59 Maine Bill Chinnock was a resident of Yarmouth, Maine. One of the early founders of the Ashbury Park music scene, Bill's five decade career as a singer-songwriter produced 13 albums and in 1987, won an Emmy. Chinnock was a self-taught innovator who, besides mastering the guitar and the harmonica, also made films and dabbled in computer graphics. He had his own studio and also worked as a producer. He was an advocate for other patients suffering from Lyme, a condition that affected both he and his wife. Chinnock took his own life March 7, 2007, after an eight year battle with Lyme disease. * "He was such an incredibly talented person, and a great brother, a beautiful brother. He was a funny, wonderful, entertaining guy." - Caroline Payne Obituary published in The New York Times on 3/9/2007.   Elizabeth A. Bowley Coen 46 Rhode Island Beth Coen was a resident of North Providence, Rhode Island. She was a history teacher at South Kingstown High School for 12 years until she became ill in 2004. Beth received an Associates Degree from Salve Regina University in Newport and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, summa Cum Laude from Rhode Island College. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Holocaust Museum in Providence. In memory of Beth and her struggle with this devastating illness, her family has begun "Beth's Quest", a nonprofit foundation that is dedicated to promoting Lyme disease awareness and prevention. Coen took her own life January 8, 2006, after a ten year battle with Lyme disease. * "We're carrying on Beth's work. It was her quest to bring Lyme disease awareness and prevention to the public." -Rod Bowley   Dr. Jane Colfax 81 North Carolina Dr. Jane Colfax made history by becoming the first female obstetrician-gynecologist to practice at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson at a time when female physicians were rare. After serving as an Army nurse during World War II, she attended Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1955. Colfax was very dedicated and it is estimated that she has delivered some 2,000 babies during her long career. She contracted Lyme disease during the 1980's and went undiagnosed for years. Eventually, she had to give up her practice because she lost the use of her hands. Dr. Colfax was confined to bed for almost twelve years before she passed away. Colfax died June 15, 2005 of a stroke, secondary to Lyme disease.   Kym Cooper 37 Missouri Kimberly Ann "Kym" Nagle Cooper was a resident of Columbia, Missouri. In her childhood she studied gymnastics, which grew into a lifelong love of modern dance. She was an accomplished swimmer and especially enjoyed her many visits to Finger Lake State Park and Rock Bridge State Park. In the summer of 2005, Kym rescued a small boy from drowning in a backyard pool. Before contracting Lyme disease, she served as a licensed practical nurse and is remembered for her kind heart and special skills as activities director working with senior citizens at Fayette Nursing Home. Kym is especially remembered for her love of family, music, dancing and the great Missouri outdoors. Cooper died January 16, 2006, after an eight year battle with Lyme disease.   Vickie Crawford 55 Alabama Vickie Crawford's life was devoted to education and children. She earned two Master's degrees in the fields of Early Childhood Development and Physical Education, and a third in Library Media. She taught for several years before becoming the Librarian for four years at Athens Middle School. Her illness forced her into a medical leave and then early retirement. Crawford died September 10, 2006, of complications stemming from Lyme disease * "She was a special person because of her commitment to education and her desire to make a difference with children." - Joe Jackson    Dr. Alasdair Crockett 38 United Kingdom Alasdair Crockett was a resident of Brightlingsea, Essex in the United Kingdom. He was a University Professor and one of the country's top experts on modern life. Dr. Crockett held a Masters Philosophy degree from Cambridge and was a chief officer with the Institute for Social and Economic Research at Essex University. He had been suffering from depression caused by Lyme disease, which he believed he had caught during his time spent studying hill farming in Northumberland. A spokesman for Essex police said that Dr. Crockett had been exhibiting symptoms of extreme anxiety which is among the effects of the disease in its advanced stages. Crockett took his own life September 14, 2006 after a difficult battle with Lyme disease.     Dr. John Drulle 59 New Jersey John graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering  in 1967 before receiving his Doctor of Medicine.  Dr. Drulle was a pioneer in the fight against Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses, working toward educating the public about the need for prevention, treatment and research on tick-borne infections with special concerns regarding the effects of Lyme disease on pregnant women and the unborn.  Because protocols were uncertain in the early days of this disease, he would never give a patient a medicine unless he tried it on himself first, because he himself was infected with Lyme as well as other tick-borne diseases.  To say his practice was patient-centered is an understatement - he would go so far as to pick up prescriptions and deliver them to a patient's house when they were too sick to do so themselves.  Even when he himself was battling chronic fatigue and pain, he kept a positive outlook and sense of humor.  John Drulle was truly a blessing to all who knew him until he succumbed to Lyme. His many articles and presentations paved the way for proper diagnosis and treatment for all who were to follow. Drulle died November 7, 2003 after a valiant battle with Lyme and co-infections.   Terri Dahl Fishel-Hokit 61 California Terri Fishel-Hokit was born October 15, 1945 in Escondido, California. In 1968, she moved to Capitola with her daughter. Terri worked at Cabrillo College and spent many years in the Title business in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Fishel-Hokit died January 24, 2006 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California, after suffering from Lyme disease and breast cancer.   Bryan Grimes Jr. 67 North Carolina Bryan Grimes was a native of Washington, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1961 and became a commissioned officer in the USAF, serving for a period of time in Vietnam. He was self-employed in various businesses and started Time Foods Inc., with his wife and son in 1981. Bryan was a member of the Lyon's Club and the Toastmaster's Club and a lifetime member of the Full Gospel Businessmen's International. He went quietly through life and will be remembered by many for his kindness and many who never knew him benefited from his generosity. Grimes died December 29, 2006 in Pitt County Memorial Hospital, after several years of battling Lyme disease.   Brian Hirsch 43 Georgia Brian Hirsch was born in Tampa, Florida and resided in McDonough, Georgia with his wife and children. He was a member of the Salem Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school. He played and coached sports and was an avid NASCAR racing fan. Brian was the owner of Eagle Electric and was known in the community as a colleague, not a competitor. His motto was "I can choose to laugh or I can choose to cry. I choose to laugh." Hirsch died June 19, 2006, after a seven year battle with ALS and Lyme disease.     Ted Paul Richard Hoggard 21 California Ted Hoggard was born November 5, 1982. He attended Butte College where he earned his credentials as an Emergency Medical Technician. His interests were many and ranged from competitive team roping to hunting, fishing, soccer and martial arts. He participated in pioneering research in the treatment for Lyme utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and was looking forward to managing the facility in Chico, California after completing his education. Hoggard died August 19, 2004, after battling Lyme disease for many years.     Dillon Jamison King 37 California Dillon King was born in Santa Cruz, California where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated with honors from UC Irvine and the Christian School of Ministry. His pursuits were health care, jewelry design, manufacturing and art. He also preformed many marriages for his friends. King took his own life January 5, 2005, after suffering from severe complications of Lyme disease and Morgellons disease.     Dr. James Paine Koch 79 Massachusetts James Koch, a member for many years of the medical advisory committee for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, devoted his career to helping control population growth with the invention of the cervical cap. He was born in St. Paul and graduated from St. Paul Academy, receiving a bachelor of arts from Harvard College in 1951, and a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1956. Researching in biological chemistry for many years, he then turned his focus toward the advancement of women's rights in work and advocacy. Koch died February 13, 2007 in his home, following a series of strokes secondary to a severe case of Lyme disease.     Christina Marie Lambeth 19 North Carolina Christina Lambeth was born July 8, 1980 in Forsyth County, North Carolina. She was a member of Hopewell Moravian Church. Lambeth died February 10, 2000, after a long struggle Lyme disease.     Jon Pierre Lavallee 46 Massachusetts Jon was an athlete and an avid sport's fan. He was a gifted woodworker and craftsman, building furniture and restoring antiques. For many years, he was a motor-route driver for the Cape Cod Times delivering in the areas of Provincetown and Truro. Lavallee died June 19, 2002 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston of Lyme disease.     John Martini 55 Massachusetts Born in Binghamton, New York, John resided in Plymouth, Massachusetts with his wife of 19 years. He was a former conservation expert, cab driver, chef, high school teacher and landscape business owner. John earned a degree in political science and American history from UMass- Boston in 1972. In 1985, he earned his teaching certificate at Southeastern University. John was well liked and eventually won an election for Selectman in his newly adopted hometown. He had many interests and talents, and was very active until he contracted Lyme while working outdoors. Martini died July 24, 2005, after a devastatingly swift battle with Lyme disease. * "He was a family guy, warm, caring and wonderful, and he made you feel very special.”- Michelle Turner     David A. McHoul 63 Massachusetts David McHoul was born in Boston, Massachusetts and resided in Provincetown. He was the Cape Funeral Home director since 1985,  carrying on the family business. David also served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed riding his bicycle around town and spending time with his many friends who loved his sense of humor. McHoul died June 6, 2005 at Cape End Manor Nursing Home from complications of Lyme disease.     Dr. William "Bill" Lee Nichols 50 Florida Bill Nichols was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on June 10, 1949. He received his PhD in Chemistry from UCSD in 1985, where he continued his career in research chemistry. He loved swimming and will be remembered as a true friend and a fine scientist. Bill struggled bravely with the most severe complications of Lyme, but was kind and gentle to the end. Nichols took his own life April 12, 2000, after a twelve year battle with Lyme disease.     Richard Olney 71 Provence, France Richard Olney was one of the first food writers to introduce the beauty of simple French country cooking to American readers with more than 35 books on food and wine. Born in Marathon, Iowa, Olney attended the University of Iowa before studying painting at the Brooklyn Museum Art School. He moved to France in 1951 at the age of 24, where he led a life of simple elegance surrounded by olive trees. Olney died August 3, 1999, at his home, following a two year fight with Lyme disease.     Amanda Reese 25 Florida Amanda Reese was committed to serving others during her young life. A graduate of Illinois State University and former YMCA camp counselor, she also served as a volunteer with AmeriCorps. Amanda led a team providing assistance to FEMA in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. She also volunteered for the Nature Conservancy’s effort to preserve the Florida Everglades. Reese died November 19, 2006 from an enlarged heart stemming from complications of Lyme disease. * "Everyone who got to know her loved her" -Carole Reese     Thomas "Curry" Roberts 29 Texas Thomas Roberts grew up in Plainview, Texas. He was a former US Marine enrolled in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Texas Tech University. He was very dedicated to his work, family and friends. Roberts took his own life March 2, 2006, after a long battle with Lyme disease. * "He will be missed by everyone in Plainview. He was a vibrant life-loving young man." -Lisa Kersh     Karen Johnson Rose 59 Texas Rose was a co-moderator for LymeInfo since 2002, an internet group devoted to disseminating accurate information regarding tickborne illnesses. Both she and her husband, James, were very active with support and advocacy to the Lyme community. All who knew Rose found her as a warm and kind individual, always dedicated to her friends and family. Rose died April 18, 2007, following a long battle with Lyme disease. * "Today, and for years to come, we will all have one thing in common... a broken heart because we've lost our Rose. I do know, however, the work Rose accomplished for the Lyme Community will live on forever. Her dedication to our cause has saved many lives and made many lives much better." -Lucy Barnes     Jim Sazani 59 California Jim was born September 5, 1943, in New York. He attended Texas A&M University and later served at Vandenberg Air Force Base with the Air Force. He was an engineer for 33 years and was active in youth sports programs and coached everything from basketball, baseball and football to girl's softball. Jim bred and trained driving horses for 18 years, but after Lyme disease, he was confined to a wheelchair. Sazani died April 12, 2003 in Lompoc Hospital of complications due to a five year battle with Lyme disease. * "He never gave up. He was hopeful he would get through; there was always something going on in life that kept him alive." -Judi Sazani     Robert "Bob" Schneider 63 Indiana A decorated Vietnam veteran, Bob Schneider resided on his small farm in Evanston, Indiana after retiring from Evanston State Hospital as a social worker. He was hospitalized for more than 25 days before his death with multiple organ and respiratory failure. Schneider died August 2, 2006 from complications of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. Obituary published in the Courier Press on 8/20/2006.     Vincent Sota 47 Florida Vincent Sota was a Fire Rescue Engineer and an Emergency Medical Technician. After seeing more than fifteen physicians, Vincent was finally properly diagnosed with Lyme disease, but by that time, he was completely debilitated. Bedridden and unable to speak, his wife of eleven years, Mary, faithfully stayed by his side, maintaining hope until the end. Sota died July 4, 2002, after a long battle with ALS secondary to Lyme disease. Obituary published in the Times Publishing Company on 7/6/2002.     Carole Ann Tegnander 60 New York Born and raised in Valley Stream, New York, Carole Tegnander was full of life. Once she was diagnosed with Lyme disease, she co-founded the Long Island Lyme Association where she helped many by running support group meetings, giving educational seminars and testifying before the US Senate and various other committees to help raise awareness. She was an avid animal lover, a loyal and loving wife, a joyful and caring friend, and devoted mother and grandmother. Tegnander died February 17, 2006 following a long battle with ovarian cancer secondary to Lyme disease. * “People who knew Carole saw she had an easy smile, was always up beat regardless of the pain she endured from two crushing illnesses. She lived her life by the motto, ‘NEVER QUIT.’" -Family statement Obituary published in the Times Herald-Record on 2/19/2006.     Christopher Peter Thomas 46 Maryland Christopher Thomas was a resident of Annapolis, Maryland and a sound engineer for feature films, television shows and music videos. He was a graduate of Montgomery College and owned the firm, CPT Sound Services Inc. Christopher enjoyed both history and travel, and his career allowed him to delve into both passions. In 1990, his work earned a Capital Region Emmy Award. Thomas died May 3, 2006 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, from complications of a five year battle with Lyme disease. Obituary published in The Washington Post on 5/9/2006.     Jenny Umpress 21 Ohio Jenny contracted Lyme disease when she was 15 years old, and spent the remainder of her life fighting to find the strength to overcome numerous obstacles and hardships. The disease left her bedridden and in terrible pain. It also caused complete amnesia from which she never recovered. The physical devastation was exceeded only by the emotional turmoil placed on her by misinformed and unsympathetic physicians who did not understand the nature of her illness. Still, her goal was to try and help other patients from experiencing the same fate. Umpress died August 26, 1994, after a six year battle with Lyme disease.     Colonel Bryce H. Wagner 62 Kansas Born October 10, 1943 in Lenoir, North Carolina, Bryce Wagner received his Masters Degree at Central Michigan in 1984 and was a War College graduate. After serving 26 years in the United States Army, he retired a full military colonel. Wagner died June 7, 2006, after a long battle with Lyme disease. Obituary published in the Topeka Capital-Journal on 6/13/2006.     Travis Allen Wilson 23 Washington Travis Wilson was born December 29, 1982 in Olympia, Washington. Travis attended Austin Community College and had just found financial backing to start a new business of fixing computers. He was an avid reader and writer and wrote many poems. He became a certified pharmacy technician in 2003, using his knowledge of Lyme and Morgellons to help other patients. Travis was very sick for much of his life but fought bravely through it all. Wilson died April 23, 2006, from complications of Lyme disease and Morgellons disease. Obituary published in Hill Country News on 5/3/2006.
"I shall pass this way but once, therefore any kindness I can show or any help I can give, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again." - Author Unknown
© 2006 The National Lyme Disease Memorial Park Project