Carl's large family was often in attendance for one of his band's shows.

Grace and Space: A Family Says “Goodbye” and “Thank You”

Carl’s grandkids may have run the most successful lemonade stand and painted rock store you’ve ever seen. When they set up shop on family vacation, there always seemed to be plenty of people willing to hand over a dollar or two for their cold cups of juice or a stone they had carefully decorated.

It wasn’t until years later when their mom – Carl’s daughter Nicole – let them in on the secret. Carl was just out of sight of their stand, handing money out to those who passed by, asking them to make a purchase – and light up the children’s day.

“The best papa in the world,” recalls Nicole.

That same love was also on display when Carl and his wife Fran had the grandkids over for sleepovers. Carl was known for always wearing a hat, which hid a bald spot. But when his granddaughter asked, the hat came off – so she could draw on his head with markers and fill the bald spot in.

"He did what he loved. That was always what was most important to him."

A jack-of-all-trades, Carl’s career was in maintenance. He worked often, but found time to play billiards, keep up with Boston sports teams, and be with his band. A bass guitar player since he was 15, he usually wore a top hat on stage – including when they played at Nicole’s wedding.

Carl and Fran had raised their three kids – Carl Jr., Sean, and Nicole – and welcomed seven grandchildren. But during a trip they took to Florida in 2022, the family worried they may never see his smile again.

"Dad, we're home."

Fran vividly remembers banging on the door – coming from the room next to her while the two of them were on vacation in Orlando. It was Carl, who had had a stroke.

He was taken to the hospital and lay in a coma for five weeks. Fran rarely left his side. Doctors even discussed hospice, but the family wasn’t ready.

“We didn’t want to lose him in such an unfamiliar place,” said Fran. They wanted to bring him home to Massachusetts.

After a medical flight to a Boston hospital, Nicole whispered: "Dad, we're home." And Carl’s eyes opened.

The family was stunned – and he further surprised them in his recovery. The stroke had left him paralyzed on his left side, but Carl was able to go home to the family he cared so much about – making new memories while reminiscing about older ones.

They enjoyed two more years together – until another medical complication. This time, when doctors mentioned hospice, they were ready. Carl was taken to the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers for his final few days.

A Peaceful Ending

It was, unfortunately, not the family’s first hospice experience. Nicole’s brother Sean had died several years earlier from colon cancer. But this journey with Carl would be different. They had been thankful for the extra time they had. And while saying goodbye would be difficult, they knew it was his time.

Their private suite at the Kaplan House quickly became home. Carl’s family put up familiar photos on the wall. Some of his favorite music filled the room. And Fran slept there two nights alongside her husband of 58 years – at peace knowing that the team at the house would take care of all his medical needs.

"It was the most peaceful place in the entire world," remembers Fran.

Nicole says beyond the spacious and beautiful rooms, the people who work there stood out.

"Everyone who came into the room would acknowledge him, speak to him, and then ask what they could do for us.

"Hospice really is about the patient and the family. Grace and space.”

Surrounded by family, Carl died on May 4 – the same day his son had died several years prior.

Giving Back

Months later, Nicole found a way to honor both her father and brother.

She works for an asset management fund, GMO, which donates unclaimed funds each year to nonprofits. Central to that effort is a program which allows employees to nominate nonprofits and charities which are close to their hearts.

This past year, Nicole submitted a letter of support for Care Dimensions, writing in part:

“Having personally experienced the impact of hospice care through the loss of both my brother and my father, I can attest to the irreplaceable role these caregivers played in my family’s lives. Their support allowed our family to focus on love, memory, and closure rather than confusion, suffering, or despair, and provided a comforting environment for us to be present with our loved ones during their end-of-life journeys. Their team offered not only expert medical care but also emotional and spiritual support that helped us navigate those incredibly difficult times with grace and compassion.

“Supporting hospice and palliative care is not just a gift to the dying, it is a gift to the living who carry their memory forward. The work is not glamorous. It does not attract headlines or viral campaigns. But it is sacred. And it is essential.”

An employee-led committee awarded a $15,000 grant to Care Dimensions – the highest amount available through the program. Both Nicole and Fran say they know the money will make a difference in the lives of the others, including people like Carl, who was blessed to have so many loved ones with him through the end.

Thanks to our generous supporters, Care Dimensions provides grace and space to thousands of patients and families each year. To learn more about how you can make a difference, visit CareDimensions.org/Giving or email [email protected].