Community Commentary

Dear readers, It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you of the death

of my beloved husband of more than 25 years. Geoffrey Dean Hancock left us on March 3, with my brother and I at his bedside.

Since his diagnosis on Christmas Day 2010, we have known how tough pancreatic cancer is, and that Geoff was one of only 6% to survive it in the first place. The fact that he bounced back from Whipple surgery and returned to work full time was pretty amazing.

But last fall our surgeon said that 20 months is the norm for pancreatic cancer to return - and that’s right when latest scans showed the cancer was back. We knew recurrent pancreatic cancer did not have a good prognosis, and while more chemotherapy was an option, nothing was curative. Because Geoff

was a big “quality of life” guy, he didn’t want to spend his remaining time dealing with the terrible side effects of chemo. We talked of retirement and travel.

But early last month, on the advice of our oncologist, we called in hospice. We were able to make one last trip to the ocean, with family and dear friends joining us. Four weeks later, after a number of close friends and relatives were able to visit, with many others sending notes to Geoff, he passed away peacefully and without pain.

A heartfelt thank you to our family, neighbors and the myriad of other businesspeople, advertisers, City of Chandler people and so many others who have called, texted, emailed and sent cards, flowers and plants with their condolences. A very special thank you to the SanTan Sun News team for organizing food for us this past month, picking up additional tasks like getting mail, making bank deposits, extra proofing and just being there for us.

As my dear friend, an amazing business partner and loving father of our one and only son, Geoff and I had a terrific life. He provided so well for us, and grew this newspaper from 16 pages and a 7,000 print run to the nearly 80 pages and 35,000 circulation it is today.

We have always been very proud of this publication you hold in your hands, and while I think we never really grasped the impact that it has had on the community, we have been very honored to be part of this special place in Chandler we call home.

So, it is with pride and some bittersweet emotions that I also announce another transition: that we are joining forces with Steve Strickbine and the Times Media Group effective this month. Steve, who owns the College Times, Lovin’ Life After 50, Nearby News, Scottsdale Airpark News and others, wants to continue the legacy we’ve built, and knows we have a solid product with a great team.

Please be assured that there will be no major changes with this newspaper. I will continue to write a periodic “publisher emeritus” column, and will still be in the wings to help as needed.

Steve has been great to work with during these challenging times that also included the loss of one of his family members. I feel confident he will be a good steward of this publication.

Geoff and I met in the film and video production world, and in its jargon, Geoff had one great dress rehearsal, a blockbuster film production, a wild cast party and now we say “that’s a wrap.” Observing his legendary sense of humor, Molly Carroll of Ocotillo adds, “And we’ll be entertained by the reruns!”

Geoff donated his body for science research, and we will have a celebration of his life from 3-5 p.m. Sun., April 7 at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6400 W. Del Rio St, off Ray and McKemy in Chandler. We will keep you posted on these pages, and you can also visit a new Facebook page at Geoffrey Dean Hancock for information about the memorial service.

As I transition to being on my own, with so many wonderful friends and family, I know Devon and I are not alone.

Today, more than ever, I thank you for reading the SanTan Sun News, and trust you will continue to do so.

Publisher’s Note

Laurie FagenPhoto byLightRainImages.com

Health care is good businessby Tim bricker

Health care is a business and economic driver in the East Valley, similar to the aerospace or defense industries. The health care sector makes effective use of private and public funds to create jobs, support ancillary services and support the purchase of local materials. Statewide, the hospital industry is 63% larger than the hospitality industry and 37% larger than the electronics and aerospace industries combined.

Throughout the Great Recession, hospitals were one of the few industries that did not experience massive layoffs, and largely

retained, or enhanced, employment levels.But the continued economic downturn and the dramatic rise in the

uninsured, which occurred last fiscal year, when more than 140,000 people lost their insurance due to state budget cuts, has put an unsustainable strain on hospital finances from patients who need services, but are unable to pay.

Governor Brewer’s plan to restore Medicaid coverage is a sound one. Arizona voters have twice approved providing Medicaid coverage to Arizonans below federally designated levels of poverty, and the Governor’s proposal would help fulfill the will of the voters.

There also is a clear economic argument to be made for this plan. Arizona needs to stay competitive in the region. Since so many of the

other western states are maximizing the Medicaid dollars, Arizona will be at a strategic disadvantage if it does not do the same.

The Governor’s plan will inject $2 billion into the economy, keeping Arizonans’ tax dollars in Arizona and helping to maintain and create thousands of jobs. The plan will also alleviate the burden of uncompensated care costs that get placed on businesses and Arizona families who are paying higher rates to compensate for uninsured patients in need of care.

We encourage business and community leaders throughout the East Valley to support the Governor’s proposal as a cost effective way to provide insurance for more than 240,000 Arizonans and to help our economy continue to move into full recovery.

For more information, go to RestoringArizona.com.

Tim Bricker is president and CEO of Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers.

Tim Bricker

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DeadlineeDiTOriAL AND ADVerTiSiNG:NOON WED., MARCH 27, 2013

FOR THEAPRIL 6, 2013 ISSUE

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March 16 – April 5, 2013 39www.SanTanSun.com Opinion

WHAT DO yOU THINK?Are your health care needs being met at an affordable price?

Will reform help or hurt service levels, physicians and other providers, patients and insurance costs?

Send your responses to Letters@SanTanSun.com and include your community name for possible inclusion in a future issue of the SanTan Sun News.

40 March 16 – April 5, 2013 www.SanTanSun.comOpinion

Gentleman to the endTeam SanTan Sun – I am so sorry for

your loss of Geoff. While I have been so moved by the professionalism and passion of Geoff, Laurie and the entire SanTan team, I was most touched when Geoff recently sent me encouragement during my battle with cancer. I feel it is the highest indication of a true gentleman when he tries to support others at the very end when he should be taking care of himself.

Geoff showed me how to live the rest of my life, and I am forever grateful for him teaching me this greatest life lesson – to always place others before our self. May you rest in peace, Sir.

Laurie, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know the community is here to support you and we wish you the very best in the near future. Feel free to call on us for anything.

Respectfully,Steve Cooper, CEO, Chandler

University

Farewell, faithful friendHow do you sum up the joy of

knowing you for nearly three decades?It’s impossible. As a loving and loyal

husband to my dear friend and soul sister Laurie Fagen, and most devoted father ever to talented son Devon James, you brought much joy and laughter through the years to all of us with your quick wit and wisdom, endless stories and sage advice.

Even in these last weeks, you remained the strongest as we all struggled to find strength. I am so grateful for our final days in Avila with our boys together again. Eternal thanks for your precious gifts of friendship, generosity and kindness.

We will never allow this cancer to destroy our memories, cripple our love or reduce our faith. your gentle spirit will live on through those who knew and loved you.

Until we meet again … Kathi Kovach Koenig, Prescott

Old friendsGeoff: It has been a long time, and

from the sound of it a tough time since we talked last. I received Laurie’s email and of course I was very sad to read the news. I think you are a bit like me, we understand what inevitable means. Of course I would much rather you go suddenly 30 years from now. But in a way, it is nice that those close to you get the chance to say goodbye.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to write you and let you know how much respect I have had for you over the years. you have always stood tall for what’s right and stood against what’s wrong. I admire that. And I admire your humor and good nature in times of plenty and times of struggle. I am proud to have been able to call you a friend and to have worked with you. We don’t tell our friends things like this often enough, I’m glad I am getting the chance to tell you now.

This is the time that your friends ask “what can I do to help?” All you or Laurie has to do is ask and Theresa and I will be there. But I want you and Laurie to know that we will be here whenever your family needs help in any way, in a year, 10 years or 30.

Geoff, it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye. But it is with a heart filled with gratitude that I say it has been a pleasure and honor to know you.

Please give my love to Laurie.your friend,Randy Murray, Randy Murray

Productions, Phoenix

believer of chandler communityLife is art and Geoff was an

inspirational part of life’s canvas for so many of us. What a joy and honor that we got to know such a great guy and such a tremendous believer of our community. A wry and intelligent sense of humor with the sweetest adoration for his family, he will be missed.

Our prayers are with Laurie and Devon, and if there is anything we can do we are here for you – always. The angels are singing with you and for you both. God bless.

Dilia Wood, Inspirador, Chandler

Straight shooterGeoff, I want you to know how much I

respect your decision to live life on your own terms. I remember you telling me that you would not do chemo again. I said “Come on, Geoff, if you have to do it to live, you know you can get through it.” And you said, “No, no I’m not gonna do it,” and then being who you are, you changed the subject so the conversation stopped being about you. Selfishly I thought, well, if that happens, there will be time to change his mind. I was wrong to think that.

But this hurts. It hurts to know that I will not talk to or see you again. you always made me happy. you always brought me news of what was happening in the square. you always looked out for us in the SanTan Sun. you were always you! And you always put a smile on my face. I always liked to see you coming through the door and had I known the last time was the last time I would see you, I would have insisted you stay longer and let me shut everyone else out like I wanted to. you slipped out quickly. you are a good friend to me.

you meant a lot to me, Geoff, and I will never forget the love, kindness and support you showed us! you shot straight and told us the truth. you are a good man.

you are loyal, kind, loving, empathetic, strong and supportive. you are my friend. Through this heartache, l will miss you dearly and will never, ever forget you. I pray you are able to have relief in knowing you are admired, respected and loved!

Glynis & Eric LeGrand, Chandler

Solid, responsibleWe lost a good friend and a good

person on 3-3-13. Geoff Hancock was a solid, responsible, life-loving and outgoing person. He was devoted to his family and his work. Above all, like many of us in this generation, he believed in doing things right. We will miss him a lot. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Laurie, and son Devon.

Fred and Karin Zapata, PostNet, S. Chandler

Tails wag over adoption news The “Adopt pets at Chandler mall”

story that ran Feb. 16 begs explanation.As local co-organizer of the national

campaign to end puppy mills and their outlet stores, I am happy to report much progress in the Valley.

During the past four years, we’ve maintained weekly rallies to expose the cruelty behind the cuteness outside stores like Puppies-N-Love and Animal Kingdom. We educate the public about the mass commercial breeding farms, USDA-licensed agricultural facilities and the suffering endured to supply their product to retail stores.

Thanks to the public’s growing awareness, we have celebrated the closure of three independent Valley puppy mill outlet stores and the trend toward adoption of rescue animals.

We’ve seen breeder dogs with broken limbs, missing teeth, blindness, hair so matted it causes pain and absence of veterinary treatment. We’ve seen dogs bred each cycle until no longer able to do so, and the crude means of destroying them when they’re no longer profitable. And from pet store victims we’ve heard horror stories of sick and underage puppies, inherited genetic problems, huge vet bills and heartbreak.

Last year, Macerich Corp., parent of Westcor malls, made the compassionate decision to stop renewing the leases of these stores in all 70 of their malls in the U.S., and to replace them with adoption venues. Locally, this has taken place at Scottsdale Fashion Square and Chandler Fashion Center, with the remaining stores to follow suit when leases expire. Thank you, Macerich, and caring people.

Janice McClellan, Sunstone

Advertising works We had several new families in our

church service yesterday as a result of our ads and press releases in the SanTan Sun

Thanks for your professionalism, and it’s great to know that coverage in the SanTan Sun produces traffic!

We’ll run lots of ads in the future.Lead Pastor Ryan Gear, One Church

Letters to the editor

Geoff Hancock and Laurie Fagen

Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com.

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