Last May I was hoping to get to see Tito Gene but was unable to. But I was fortunate to have been able to say goodbye last August.
So happy to see Mayen Lagdameo Hogan and her husband Bryan and eldest son Kyle. Mayen has been living in New Jersey since she was high school and eventually met her husband and had her two boys here. She is a lawyer for Children’s Place. Kyle is 17 years old and will soon be going to college also! Time flies!
Tito Stephen and Tita Reggie
A close friend of the family, Dr. Gene Ciocon, passed away last month. A very good and well respected surgeon in New Jersey who we met around 30 years ago. Tito Gene saved many lives through his practice as a doctor. He saved the life of Congressman Roe ( Cong of NJ for 23 years) and he donated his whole estate to Chilton Memorial hospital in New Jersey in honor of Tito Gene. The priest today said that Tito Gene was given the Ministry of healing. He said, What is the measure of a man? It is not found in words or titles but in deeds done and the love shared in healing others. And that was what Tito Gene did – Not only did he save lives or heal people – he gave them his personal attention and as his son David said in his eulogy, His patients became friends and family and his friends and family became patients. There was really no distinction. Tito Gene’s life serves an example and an inspiration to all of us to be healers for others. We can all be healers in many ways – healing poverty, violence, hatred, self centeredness. St. John the Baptist says that the greatest miracle is is to nurture the soul of others, spark minds, and most of all touch the ??s of others. I chose this photo of Tito Gene with Romana and Maria. Two people who were mourning just as much, if not more than the family members because they too were family. They served the Ciocon family – Romana 30 years when she came to take care of their son, Eugene, in 1967 when he was only 6 months old. And Maria 28 years now and who is the niece of Romana and came from the Philippines also to serve the Ciocon family
