Remembering Willie on his 68th Birthdayđź’š

March 26, 2026

Today would have been Willie’s 68th birthday.

If you knew him, you probably remember the little things — the conversations that went longer than expected, the laughter that always seemed to follow, the way a normal night somehow turned into something memorable.

He built his life around the people he loved — his family, his friends, and especially his girls. He loved life in a way that was easy to feel when you were with him, and even easier to miss now.

We carry that love with us every day — when a song comes on and we can almost hear him say, “oh! turn this up! I love this song!”, in those little “he would’ve loved this” moments that catch us off guard, in the memories we look back on and cherish, and in the new ones we know he would have enjoyed — and it’s through The Willie Fund.

The Willie Fund was created for him during the end of his battle, but he was able to see it come to life. Today, it supports the same team at Massachusetts Eye and Ear that cared for him through each of his battles — the doctors and researchers who stood alongside him for years. Giving back to them is incredibly personal to our family, and it’s our way of honoring him in something that truly matters.

Today, on his birthday, we ask that you remember him with us. Share your favorite “Willie memory” with friends and family, play a song he loved a little louder in the car, maybe end the day with a Manhattan.

And consider making a donation to The Willie Fund and continue to join us in the fight against cancer.

 

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