To the Editor:

Our dad, George M. Scott Jr. passed away on January 6, 2017 at the age of 90 years old. He had an amazing life and a wonderful story to tell. He was a kind, caring man with direction. His life was devoted to caring for family, friends, coworkers and at times strangers. He was a hero to our family and our adventures with him and my mom are so numerous, we will be celebrating our life's journey with him and my mom forever.

It is important that I take a moment to pay tribute to his life but equally important let readers know a special thank you needs to be conveyed to Beacon Hospice and other agencies that parallel their mission of caring for others in their time of need. His life's story would not be complete without the last year and a half of his life and the wonderful people, in this case Beacon Hospice, who were there to help take care of him throughout the last leg of his journey. I am sure there are many hospice agencies and many stories that others can share about their experiences but I can only speak about my dad's journey with the wonderful caring individuals that work with Beacon Hospice.

Everyone involved with my Dad whether it be on a daily basis or an occasional professional filling in, my Dad was given professional care but almost more importantly he was treated with dignity, love, caring, and the importance of his journey as a wonderful human being. He was and always will be our hero. He was a man who always gave to all other first with whatever their needs may have been. Throughout his journey, he was always positive, kind, caring and thoughtful of the people that were there to share in his life.

Our family wants to give a special heartfelt thank you to 2 members of the Beacon Hospice team. I single them out because they were the women that my dad was lucky enough to have with him through his journey. They are Pam and Maureen. As I am sure with many, if not all member of the Beacon Hospice team, they are amazing individuals. Their professionalism is top notch. I want to let you know through their guidance and friendship, not only were they there for my dad, as a family we felt comfort in their care and their ability to educate us, to be there when we had questions or were feeling apprehensive with the journey. Their smiles were infectious, their communication was like speaking to a friend and a educator all rolled into one great package. Thank you is just not enough for their participation in my dad's life. I realize it is their job, as with other agency members, but if all hospice members are like these 2 women, then this agency, as I am sure along with others are truly a blessing. They were there with him until the end and they took the time to pay him final respects. That says mountains for the type of individuals they are. I think one of these women said it best and I so love her for what she said about my dad," Thank you for allowing me to be a part of George's team. I have truly never met a more positive loving man and very happy to have experienced the love he had for family and the love that his family shared for him." She then thanked us for taking such good care of him. How amazingly thoughtful of her to express those sentiments to us. For us these 2 women will always be a part of our celebration of Dad's life.

For others searching for assistance to help with their loved ones, this may be a pathway that works for you. The services provided for our loved ones within this organization are priceless for the well being of the people we love. The members of Beacon Hospice take the time to explain and educate the families they are caring for with all the health care services available to their loved one. Family is important and to know there is someone there to help your loved one and you, to guide you, to educate you and to be there for your loved one and for you is beyond comforting. I write this to let others know there is help out there in caring for your family. Our dad passed at home quietly and peacefully. For those we love, there is nothing more we can ask for. Personally, there are not enough words to express their being there for us and most importantly for my dad.

In addition to the praises stated above about Beacon Hospice, we sincerely thank Dr. Botelho, my parents’ primary care doctor. He has been with my parents for more years than we can remember. Always there, always available, and always comforting. Along with his professionalism and care, he comes across as a caring friend. The time this man spent with our parents is unforgettable. The elderly need more doctors like him. Dr. Botelho treated mom and dad with dignity, respect, but more importantly with value and worth. In addition to being there through all their medical trials and tribulations, he has always been there as a shoulder to lean on, an educator, and the most important an amazing listener. His smile warms your heart, his sincerity to his profession but more importantly his patients stands out among many of the medical personnel we have dealt with over the years. Our dad was a lucky man to have such amazing medical professionals whom he considered friends, as part of his life.

Linda Petrarca and family

Warwick