Our Stories
From Our Donors
Donor Stories
Patricia Price Major
We miss our dedicated and loving Dad every day but are comforted knowing that the care he received at the end of his life was everything he deserved.
His leaf on the Calvary Tree of Life reads “a loving husband, dedicated father, and loyal friend”.
Alfred Price
Our Dad always put his family first. He wanted to be sure his children had it better than he did growing up. He grew up in NYC, one of 5 children born to immigrant parents who worked hard to provide for their families. He began working very early in his childhood and continued to work hard throughout his life.
He joined the Army in 1939, serving his country for five years. He fought in WW II in France and Germany. When he returned, he went to work at Curtiss Wright, where he met Carmen Piscitelli. They married in 1949 and had three children, two sons and me.
My Dad and I had a special relationship. I was the only girl and the youngest child. He treated me like a princess, but he made me strong and confident. He showed me I could do anything my brothers could and more! As I grew older and made my own decisions, I would ask for his advice.
My Dad would never tell me what to do; instead, he would provide his perspective and experiences. I remember and treasure so many of those conversations like they were yesterday. He was always there for me, encouraging me to do my best at whatever I tried and be confident in my abilities.
My Dad was active in all his children’s lives; he coached his sons in basketball, attended every school activity and sporting event. He cooked dinner for us when Mom was working nights, kept us in line, and encouraged us to have fun and enjoy life.
He could be challenging at times but always fair. He encouraged us in all our endeavors, including making sure we all had the opportunity for a college education. He and my Mom sacrificed so much and supported us through those years to focus on a great college experience.
My Dad was a strong leader both at work and at home. Despite his modest beginnings, he built a successful career and retired as an executive with Amtrak.
My Dad was diagnosed with cancer in 1991. He was at Stage 4 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He led a healthy lifestyle, so we were surprised and devastated by this diagnosis. Despite his prognosis, he continued living his life as normally as possible. He enjoyed his time with his children, grandchildren, family, and friends. He vacationed with my Mom and danced. He worked on his home that he took such pride in and spent time with his youngest granddaughter. He focused on his family and planned for their future without him.
With the help of my brother, he became part of an experimental treatment program at MSK. We made weekly trips to MSK with my Dad. One day while sitting in the waiting room, he said to me, “I have nothing to complain about. I have lived a good life and survived the War and a heart attack at 43 years old. I feel for the young children and young people dealing with this”. That was my Dad – his focus was not on him and his challenges, only on how lucky he was in his life.
In March 1993, we were grateful that he was at Calvary Hospital. From the moment he arrived, he received care that provided peace, comfort, and dignity.