Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As Syracuse district fire chief Thomas Erwin battled cancer over the past year, he promised his daughter Danielle he would see her graduate from high school in June.
The cancer that started in his lungs and bones spread to his brain, but the 51-year-old dad from North Syracuse continued to repeat his vow to his daughter. As he grew sicker and spent more time in the hospital, Danielle began to worry he might not make it to her graduation from Bishop Grimes High School. On Wednesday afternoon, Thomas Erwin got to fulfill his promise to Danielle.
He watched his beloved, only child graduate and receive her diploma from his hospital bed in a special ceremony arranged by Bishop Grimes Assistant Principal Patrick Kinne. “It meant the world to me,’' Danielle said Friday from Crouse Hospital where the family has gathered.
Full story: CNY firefighter gets dying wish, sees daughter graduate in special hospital ceremony