Posted on July 13, 2016
Few in this world have embodied this expression as truly as David Dioguardi did. In the eyes of his loving daughters, David was a hero called SuperDad; to the asbestos victim community, he was a champion of hope. David and his family became dear friends over the years, and it was so beautiful to bear witness to the tender love he shared with his daughters.
The Dioguardi family refused to take David’s deadly diagnosis lying down. They fought back by establishing the Mesothelioma Heroes Foundation, which brought awareness, education, and support to the “heroes” affected by mesothelioma as well as those fighting to end exposure and find a cure. Through this foundation, David touched so many lives and helped people feel like they weren’t facing this battle alone. Through his own suffering, he fought to make a difference and in doing so, eased the suffering of others.
David had already survived a battle with lymphoma years before being diagnosed in 2011 with malignant mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused cancer that ultimately claimed his life. Though given only 4 months to live, David faced this petrifying prognosis with hope and strength. He knew how much his family needed him, and he refused to give up. With hope and perseverance, David proved the doctors wrong, outliving his prognosis by five years.
David’s light will continue to shine through his daughters, who joined their dad in his dedication to fight for mesothelioma heroes everywhere. I’m so grateful and lucky to have such incredible superheroes fighting for public health alongside ADAO.
David, you will be missed always—by your family, by me, and by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization community as a whole. On behalf of ADAO, we send David’s family our sincerest condolences, and vow to honor his memory and legacy with our work to end the legacy of asbestos.
Visitation Friday 3-9PM at the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy. (7700W) Palos Hills. Funeral Saturday 8:45AM from the funeral home to St. Cajetan Church, 11234 S. Artesian-Chicago, for 10:00 AM Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Express your thoughts and memories in the online Guest Book at www.palosgaidasfh.com.
In remembrance,
Linda