Event Reinforces Importance of Hospice’s
Local Roots, Community Team and Diverse Services Offered Since 1988
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2025 – Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.’s Sixth Annual Community Breakfast celebrated the profound difference Hospice makes through caregivers who shared touching stories of supporting patients during their final life journey.
The ”Real Stories, Real Impact” panel discussion was moderated by Eric Gatsik, President and CEO of Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties and Heather Bell-Meyer, President and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. About 115 attendees at the Barn at Villa Venezia connected, reflected and were inspired by stories of love, dignity and trust offered to patients at the end of their lives.
“Hospice care holds a unique and vital place in our healthcare system. It reminds us that even when a cure is no longer possible, care always is,” Gatsik told attendees. “Hospice focuses on quality of life — not just for patients, but for the families who walk beside them. It allows people to spend their final days surrounded by compassion, comfort and dignity rather than fear or uncertainty. It is a philosophy of care that honors the whole person, body, mind and spirit, and it reflects the very best of who we are as a community.”
The event included two check presentations. The Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club Hudson Valley Chapter generously donated $2,500 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4662 in Warwick supported Hospice’s invaluable work with a $300 donation. The emotional panel discussion then explored stories of courage, meaningful moments and life transitions.
David Terwilliger of Cornwall, N.Y., whose wife Maureen was cared for by Hospice for four months, was so moved by the compassion he witnessed that he chose to give back by serving on Hospice’s Board of Directors as Board Secretary. “You don’t know what end-of-life care and dignity mean until you experience it like I and my family did,” he said.
Terwilliger recounted the love and commitment required by 24/7 caregiving. His wife recognized his heroic efforts, as well as the stress on Terwilliger as he tended to her every need. “It stripped us of our relationship,” he said, to the point that his wife reminded him that “I’m your wife, not your project.”
When Hospice took over care, their relationship was restored. “All these things became someone else’s responsibility,” he said. “Hospice came to us. It was fabulous, including the ability to stay in our home… the dignity factor is so great, such a huge part of care. You don’t appreciate it until you and your loved one have been through this.”
Hospice also helped reorient the family’s future in the face of tragedy. “My children had a vision of my wife being around for another 30 years,” Terwilliger said. “Coping with that is very stressful. What is the road forward? Hospice provided that comfort.”
Rafael Colon of Warwick, N.Y., served in the United States Air Force and as a New York City Police Department officer. As a Hospice volunteer since 2024, he sits vigil with veterans in their final days. He was inspired to volunteer at Hospice after attending a veterans’ breakfast. “There’s so much need for this help,” he said, offering that Hospice volunteerism is another aspect of his commitment to public service.
Colon shared a heart-wrenching story of assisting an end-of-life patient living in a motel. “The patient was clearly in distress, medications everywhere. I could not believe it. I got him in a bed, stayed with him for two-and-a-half hours, and he asked, ‘What do you do?’” The patient also has served in the military, and that bond was invaluable. “The shared stories, it was something to see,” Colon said. “I’ve had other veterans since then; we’re able to talk to each other and connect… it’s a great honor to sit with them and hear their experiences. They’re so willing and eager to share stories because they know you understand.”
Jessica Epifania has worked for Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties for over 15 years as a Hospice Aide Specialist. She applied to work at Hospice after her father’s passing under Hospice care, making a silent promise to care for others as her family had been cared for.
“This was the hardest battle of his life,” Epifania said of her father while attempting to contain her emotions. “Watching my father fight this battle was one of the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I cry with families. I grieve with families. This helps me grieve my father, and helps me make sure people are comfortable and are not alone… My father would be proud of me, knowing that I am out there, helping others.”
“These stories remind us what Hospice truly represents,” Gatsik said. “They speak to the compassion that defines this organization, and they show that Hospice care is not about endings. It is about connection, gratitude and the moments that matter most.”
Founded in 1988, Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties’ mission is to be the leading community resource for providing patients and their families with compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual end-of-life care, with comfort, dignity and respect. Hospice is entirely local, with every dollar reinvested back into the community. It measures success by the comfort offered to families, partnerships nurtured with hospitals and caregivers and the community trust strengthened across generations. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan also operates its We Honor Veterans Program, the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence and a home-care program.
About Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Inc.
Since 1988, Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties has provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families across the Hudson Valley. Guided by our mission of honoring life with dignity, comfort and compassion, we support individuals wherever they call home and help families navigate life’s most meaningful moments. Learn more at www.hospiceoforange.com.
From left, Orange County Chamber of Commerce CEO Heather Bell-Meyer, Hospice Board of Directors member David Terwilliger of Cornwall, volunteer Rafael Colon of Warwick, Hospice Aide Specialist Jessica Epifania and Hospice of Orange & Sullivan President & CEO Eric Gatsik. Bell-Meyer and Gatsik moderated a panel discussion at Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s 6th Annual Community Breakfast.
The Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club Hudson Valley Chapter generously donated $2,500 at Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s 6th Annual Community Breakfast. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan President & CEO Eric Gatsik is at center.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4662 in Warwick supported Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s invaluable work with a $300 donation during Hospice’s 6th Annual Community Breakfast. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan President & CEO Eric Gatsik is at center.
About 115 people attended Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s 6th Annual Community Breakfast in Middletown on Nov. 5. Hospice of Orange & Sullivan President and CEO Eric Gatsik offers opening remarks.
