John’s passion was hockey… he was on the ice at age four.  His two older sisters, and of course, Mom and Dad were his biggest cheerleaders for years to come.  John played all through high school and dreamed of playing goalie for the NHL.

Unfortunately, avascular necrosis (AVN) of his hips robbed him of his dreams and left him in constant pain.  Even consulting a long line of medical professionals, undergoing various treatments and a vascular bone graft, John was in unbearable pain.  The years that John suffered chronic debilitating pain led him to seek prescription painkillers and spiral into depression.  On March 7, 2010 John ended his life.

It became my mission in life to help young athletes and their families seek early diagnosis for injury and to prevent reliance on prescription painkillers.  And, in honor of my son John, I started my company, Bearingmemories to help comfort others experiencing the devastating loss of a loved one.

I hope my bears will be a source of comfort for you, as they have for me.