Memorial Arrangements

Now we have added the details for the gathering after the gravside ceremony. I would like to thank Sherri, Ken and Tom for taking care of this. Peace. I apologize to all of you that have been checking the blog with no updates but there hasn't been anything before today to update you with.

The arrangements have been made and will be on Saturday August 4th. They will start with a mass at 11 AM in Bolton at St. Francis Xavier (where JJ and Tom were alter boys) then there will be a graveside service at St Michael's Cemetery in Hudson where JJ will be buried with his grandfather. We will have a hall with food and drink to which we all hope you come to. This will be posted as soon as we figure it out.

If you could just let me know if you hope to attend (if you already have you're all set) I would appreciate it - we can use it for a head count for food. mdilling@zygo.com

I love this picture of JJ and my cousin Andrea and if you look at him for even a split second you know why - because this is how we want to remember him. That smile unforgettable, that laugh unmistakable, rock on John.

Guiseppe's

We would like to invite all of you that attend the memorial to join us to celebrate Johnnies life and swap some funny stories while having something to eat and drink. There will be a buffet and a cash bar. Bring your best pictures, memories and stories to share. I will really enjoy meeting you, or seeing you again.

We will leave the cemetary and get back to 290 West for a short distance and exit soon after the Solomon Pond Mall. There will be plenty of people to follow and you are all welcome to follow me and Kellie, or my brother or Tom. I'm the dude with the goatee.

Location-->
GUISEPPE`S GRILLE IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FROM THE SOLOMON POND MALL

FROM THE WEST - ROUTE 290 TO EXIT 25A - APPROX 1/8 MILE OFF EXIT ON THE RIGHT.

FROM THE EAST - FROM MASS TURNPIKE - TO 495 NORTH - TO ROUTE 290 -EXIT 25A - APPROX 1/8 MILE OFF EXIT ON THE RIGHT

FROM POINTS NORTH AND SOUTH - TAKE ROUTE 495 NORTH OR SOUTH TO ROUTE 290 - EXIT 25A - APPROX 1/8 MILE OFF EXIT ON THE RIGHT
THE NAME OF THE EXIT WILL BE - HUDSON ST NORTHBORO

Guiseppe's Grille
35 Solomon Pond RoadNorthboro, MA 01532-1523
Phone: (508) 393-4405

John James Sappet III August 19, 1969 - July 18, 2007

Johnny peacefully left us this morning at home with his wife and brother by his side.


For those of you learning about JJ's death here for the first time we offer our apologies for the impersonal medium. I have faith in your understanding though, because if you know JJ enough to check this blog you will realize how difficult it would be to personally contact all the people he touched throughout his life.

Services and an after party to share stories and pictures will be held in central Massachusetts. They will take place on a Saturday to make it easier for you to join us. Presently we think this will happen Saturday August 4th. The location and a confirmed date will be posted here once the arrangements have been finalized. I ask you to email me at mdilling@zygo.com if you hope to make the memorial so that we may plan accordingly.

As painful as this experience has been since mid-February I will be forever grateful for many things as I believe most closest to JJ would concur. First and foremost I will forever be grateful for, and in awe of, Liz Sappet. The strength, grace and openess with which she handled her husband and his illness will forever be inspirational to us all.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send cards, pictures, well wishes and prayers. It's unfortunate that you will never truly know just how much comfort it brought him. The outpouring of love amazed him every morning when he woke up to see all the cards Liz had hung for him.

There are people who you meet that make an impact on your life. Sometimes the impact is significant and you become close for a year or two.
Then there are people you meet that change your life and your perspective of it forever regardless how often you see them.

May you rest in peace our friend. We love you dearly and will miss you sorely.

Much Love,
Mark

Update on John's condition

Hi Everyone, I wanted to give you all an update on how John is doing.

Unfortunately I do not have good news.

First, I would like to apologize that we have not been able to call and tell each and every one of you directly. Secondly, I know that after reading this, many of you will want to call and talk to Liz and John. But right now they need their peace and privacy to focus on the challenges at hand. If anyone would like to call and get more information, please use my cell phone number: 781-738-3572 or email address: jsappet@gmail.com and I will answer or return messages as soon as possible.

(Stop reading now if you are an emotional person- this is not an easy one).

Since Thursday July 12th, John’s condition has seriously degraded. It is apparent that the cancer is now taking over and John’s body is starting to shut down. John now spends the majority of the time in a restful state. Every few hours he will wake for a short period of time (5-15 minutes), during these awake periods he will fluctuate between a coherent and incoherent state (Hepatic encephalopathy- With severe liver impairment, toxic substances normally removed by the liver accumulate in the blood and impair the function of brain cells.) Jaundice has set in and his skin and eyes have a very dark yellow color to them.

John’s body is in an extremely weaken state, when he talks it is not very much over a whisper, and many times hard to decipher what he is saying. His muscles have now atrophied to a point where he can only make only rudimentary arm & leg movements. Getting in and out of bed or walking (which he still does a couple times a day) requires one or two people to assist him and protect him from falling. Walking a short distance 15-20 feet is about all he can do at any one time.

When he is in a coherent state you can tell that this is taking a large toll on his emotional state, he gets extremely frustrated with his body failing him. Throughout this journey, John has fought hard all the way, in his current state; his mind is still fighting but his body is not responding.

John’s hospice nurse (Gail) came for a visit today. She was shocked at how much his condition had degraded since her last visit on Thursday. On Thursday John was mobile on his own and not showing any major changes since he entered hospice care. Moving forward the hospice care will be more aggressive, we will be getting daily visits from either John’s nurse, chaplain, or social worker.

Even though John’s physical condition has deteriorated, it is refreshing to see that his personality traits have not. He is still a stubborn Sappet! If you try to assist him getting up or walking he will surely yell at you that he can do it on his own. And he is still a very loving man; even when he is in a restful or incoherent state, and Liz says that she wants a kiss. When she leans in, John is always ready to return her kiss.

Our focus now is making sure that John is comfortable, and we pray that when the time comes he is at peace.

Thank you all for all of your prayers, love and support. I know that all of the cards, letters, calls, and emails have meant the world to John and Liz. It has helped them feel that they are not in this journey alone, please continue your support.

I will leave the message on this note. When the hospice nurse came today, she was wearing a rubber bracelet with a very poignant and fitting message, that I would like to echo; “Cancer Sucks”

Again, please give John and Liz their peace and privacy to focus on the challenges at hand and contact me at 781-738-3572 or jsappet@gmail.com.


Again, thank you all for the love and support that you have shown John and Liz.

God Bless you all.
-Jeremy

Great Pictures

JJ is not feeling so well these days so I thought I would share these pictures with all of you to make you smile - please send your good vibes and/or prayers his way. Thanks, Mark

Picnic with JJ, his mom, sis Vicki, my wife Kellie.

Tom with his best man.

Bustin' him out of hospice for lunch.

Happy 4th of July from Ormond Beach

Here are some pictures and very warm wishes from Ormond Beach. We are having a great time with JJ and Liz. We hope you and yours are all happy and healthy this holiday. I want to say thanks to a few people - Jeremy for his incredible efforts on the house and being an overall great brother - truly amazing. I would also like to thank Kellie, my wife and and Shelly, Jeremy's wife for understanding this is where we need to be right now.

Also I would like to thank all the cards and letters that have been streaming in (Bob Quinn, Robin, Jackie, Lee, Karen and Kathy, Mike D'daeo (sic?) Laurie, Kelly and all the rest of you that I have not mentioned). You will never know the happiness and love that JJ feels when he opens those letters and cards with your warm sentiments. Please keep them coming!

Peace and Much Love,

Mark

Liz, JJ,me, Kellie

Cheryl, JJ, Tom, Liz

Denise, Casey, Liz, Johnny

Simon after his ear issues.........he's better now!

Andy the Armadillo before he got his racing stripes!

Johnny and his best little brother Jeremy.

Happy 4th

Hi everyone.

Ok, so I know I have been MIA lately, but it is not my fault. I am with Kim right now and she has been such a slacker. Everyday I ask her if we can go take pictures. And everyday it has been a new excuse. But today I put my foot down!! (ok so it's really a paw, whatever) I woke up and said this is it lady either you get your but in gear, or by lunchtime your lawn is going to look like Swiss cheese. I gave her until 10am. As you can see she responds well to threats!!

I couldn't let today go by without saying hello to John, Liz and Simon. Oh, how the fireworks tonight will stir up so many memories. But my work here is not done. I still have many more people and places to check out, but don't you worry, I will return.

I miss you and love you!

Your friend,

Andy

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!

Andy spotted again

Andy has found beautiful grounds to burrow...he may not make it back to Ormond Beach for the 4th