It was Tyler, a funeral director from Dutchess County, who arranged for the funeral of one of the law center’s beloved Deaf clients, Herman, likely an early victim of Covid. As the days passed following Herman’s death, it became increasingly more complicated to find a funeral home. Herman’s wife, Joannie, who is DeafBlind and who was comforting their only child, 12 years of age and who is not Deaf, worried that she could not provide a proper service for her late husband. The time drew close to burying Herman at Hart Island. Then, Tyler stepped into the breach, receiving limited reimbursement for his services which just about covered his costs as he prepared a fitting funeral. Tyler’s commitment to others embodies some of the finest values of our country: service to community; the imperative to manifest compassion and empathy; and the desire to realize just results—here, the premature, yet dignified conclusion to the life of a husband and father. In conversations, Tyler expresses gratitude that he can provide care in response to crisis—that he can give of himself to others with each passing day.
Tyler