About Gerry
Gerry was devoted to his family & friends. He was a role model for so many and loved being a husband to his wife Laura, Dad to Emma & Gavin, Son, Brother, and Uncle Bubby to his niece and nephews. Gerry was a scientist by education, a successful business owner of Gerry’s Pool Repair, a company he founded and built. A lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler’s fan, he also had a passion for traveling, flea markets and fishing in the Adirondacks. He was the ultimate “handy man” and beloved by so many.
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Gerry’s journey with Pancreatic Cancer began in November 2021 at the young age of 46. While on an anniversary trip with Laura in the beautiful Florida Keys, Gerry started having mild GI symptoms, and upon returning home to Pennsylvania, his Primary Care Physician ordered additional bloodwork. This bloodwork showed elevated liver enzymes, which started a domino effect of testing, resulting in a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Receiving this completely devastating diagnosis was one of the worst days of Gerry’s and his family’s life, and in his usual style, a determination emerged to beat this cancer and fight to the fullest!
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In the weeks following, Gerry met with a talented group of Physicians and Surgeons at Lehigh Valley Cancer Center who carefully guided his journey. Believing the cancer was contained to the pancreas and had not spread to other areas, Gerry started 8 rounds of neoadjuvant chemo to prepare for a Whipple Surgery in March 2022. Unfortunately, that surgery revealed that the cancer had spread to the liver, so disappointedly he was not eligible for a Whipple. After some rest and recovery, Gerry started back on chemo and was fully invested in finding a clinical trial to battle this cancer.
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April 2022, was Gerry’s 1st meeting with the world renowned Pancreatic Cancer Expert, Dr. Eileen O’Reilly at Memorial Sloane Kettering in Manhattan discussing his eligibility for clinical trials. Per her recommendation, Gerry completed 8 more rounds of chemo at Lehigh Valley Cancer Center, as part of the MSK & LVHN affiliation, under the careful directions of Oncologist, Dr. Magid Khalil and Physician Assistant, Lauren Demberger. In August 2022, Gerry started on a Phase 3 clinical trial at MSK, which worked well for 6 months. At the beginning of 2023, progression of the cancer was determined by CT Scan and elevated CA19-9 (tumor maker obtained by labs) therefore, Gerry qualified for his 2nd Clinical Trial (Phase 1) which focused directly on his mutation, KRAS G12-D. Gerry was very excited for this opportunity, as a man of science he was intrigued by the MOA (mechanism of action) of this investigational compound and honored to be “advancing the science” in Pancreatic Cancer!
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Traveling weekly to MSK from our home in Eastern PA, Gerry never complained about the long treatment days, neuropathy in both feet, along with a laundry list of other side effects related to the cancer and treatments. He was always positive, never complained about having cancer, and continued to work his pool business until his very last days. Gerry was determined to live life to the fullest, continued to travel with his family, set up multiple weekend trips with his closest guys friends, went on fishing trips with his Dad to his “Happy Place” in the Adirondack’s, and simply hanging out in the backyard oasis he created at home. Gerry loved the family dog Daisy, who was rescued in January 2022, and became his therapy pet by always bringing a smile to his face.
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After a brave 20 month battle, Gerry passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was truly the light in our lives, with a loving heart and generous nature. Many loved his quick wit and the funny nicknames he had for everyone close to him. Gerry was always wearing or buying friends funny t-shirts as laughter was one of his many gifts to us all.
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Gerry appreciated how fortunate he was to participate in 2 clinical trials and to have his wife, a nurse and oncology pharmaceutical representative, as an advocate during his treatments. This diagnosis is overwhelming, with low survival rates, and his goal was to advocate for other patients who may not have support with their journey by providing resources and information.
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Gerry’s final wish was a foundation be started by our family to focus on early intervention, to advance science with clinical trials, provide education to pancreatic cancer patients and their families, along with advocacy for patients in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Gerry was an amazing man who fought fearlessly against pancreatic cancer, and his family & friends will continue his courageous battle through the FIGHTIN’ FORAN’S FOUNDATION TO CURE PANCREATIC CANCER.
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