PLEASE READ THESE ARTICLES ON HIS DEATH TO GET THE FACTS AND PREVENT RUMORS: Tuesday, Jan.16,2001 AILING TEENAGE ACTOR DIES AFTER CAR CRASH By Steve Berry(Staff Reporter) Gloria Cuccione agonized over the suffering of her famos Coquitlam son before turning to god for the answer. "I finally prayed, god, you know what we want more than anything but if he has to suffer I want you to take him and let him have peace,'" she said yesterday. Michael Cuccione, a member of the mock boy band 2gether died peacefully Saturday following hospitilization after a motor vehicle accident he was in with his mother about six weeks ago. Michael, 16, was diagnosed in 1994 with Hodgan's disease, a cancer that attacks the lymph glands. He twice bet it but he was left frail and weekened. He complained of overall pain following the accident and he was hospitalized shortly after. He devloped pneumonia and was put on a ventilator. "He faught gallantly," said his grieving mom. "He was in alot of pain. I didn't realize how much he was suffering because he hid it with a smile. I think god knew he was suffering too much." Michael's family-father, brother, sister and mother-gathered at his bedside. He faught really hard but he finally said I'm sorry, don't leave me,' and he died within the hour." said Gloria. Michael was 'Q.T.' in the MTV band 2gether which parpdies boy bands and which became a hit itself, including having a successful TV series and huge CD sales. The talented young man was a singer, songwriter, actor-and an inspiration to many for his brave fight against cancer and his positive outlook. He helped form the Michael Cuccione foundation in 1996 which has raised $250,000 for B.C. children's hospital. "Michael was a kind person, he just loved people," said Gloria. "He would want people to donate to his foundation instead of flowers." Anyone wishing to contribute to the foundation should write to: P.O.Box 31081, Port Moody, B.C., V3H 4T4. The Povince, January 2001 TV star, family salute Michael's brave life John Colebourn The Province Actor David Hasselhoff sang and the Italian community cried as an overflow crowd at St. Helen's Parish in Burnaby last night gathered to reflect on Michael Cuccione's short, brave life. At 16, Michael had twice battled back from Hodgkin's disease, despite being left frail from the illness that attacks the lymph glands. He went on to be an integral part of the mock boy band in 2gether. Michael was 'QT' in the MTV parody series. The TV group became a hit, had a strong youth following and huge CD sales. For more than 2,500 people at the eulogy to Michael last night, it was a chance to hear his family talk of the happy times the Coquitlam teen had as a talented singer, songwriter and actor. "Some beautiful words were said about him," said an emotional Rosemary Nicoletti, who stood in the rain outside with many others. "There's a lot of teary-eyed people in there," she added. "He's part of the Italian community." The curtain sadly closed on Michael Jan. 13, after he developed pneumonia when a car accident six weeks ago sent him to hospital. His family gathered at his bedside as he was put on a ventilator and failed to respond to the medical attention in his final days. A private funeral is to be held this morning. Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Premier Ujjal Dosanjh have sent their condolences. As expected, Hasselhoff, who is a huge singing star in Germany, sang a touching song at the service. The star of Baywatch and Knight Rider first met Michael when he cast him in a Baywatch episode partly based on his battle with Hodgkin's disease. In 1996, Michael helped form the Michael Cuccione Foundation, which has raised $250,000 for B.C. Children's Hospital. Lorenzo Bosa, 71, stood at the back of the large parish to talk about a life far too short. Bosa knows Michael's grandfather and remembers the teen well. "He was a nice, good kid," he said. Anyone wishing to contribute to the foundation should write to: P.O. Box 31081, Port Moody, B.C. V3H 4T4. ANY FANS WITH COMMENTS THEY WISH TO SHARE, PLEASE EMAIL US | |
MICHAEL CUCCIONE: JAN 5, 1985 - JAN 13, 2001 Your Comments: Micheal Cuccione wuz a great guy i can tell bcuz he donated so much to cancer reserch even when he wuznt sik ne-more so i think that the wurld will be a lot less nice now that hez gon and i want every1 2 kno that i think 2gether will kinda suk now that hez gone ill still like them but they wont b da same." -vanessa p |
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