John Lampasone, a resident of West Babylon for 43 years, was known as "The Miracle Man." He was a heart transplant survivor of nine years, and bravely battled cancer. Mr. Lampasone lost his battle and died June 5, 2008.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he worked for Grumman's Aerospace in Bethpage. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf in Bethpage, or tanning in Florida, and spending time with his family.

His daughter Angela remembers her father as "the man everybody knew.

"He touched so many lives," said his daughter Julie. "He was especially strong for all of us [daughters] and we called him 'our rock. It was my honor to be there for him in his courageous fight [with cancer] to the end…he is forever in my heart and soul," said Julie's boyfriend Mark Meltzer.

His daughter Victoria adds that when they were growing up, "he was a great father. He never yelled at us, but had silent strength," she said. "He made us [his daughters] the women we are today."

Mr. Lampasone is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rose, and his children Julie Lampasone of West Babylon; Angela and Joseph Comito of Tampa, Florida; and Victoria and Angelo Iannone of Old Westbury. He was also the grandfather of Jinelle, Jessica, Rachel, Vincent, Dex John, and Amanda Hope, and loving brother of Paul Lampasone. Funeral services were held at Noce Funeral Home in West Babylon. Visiting hours took place on Monday June 7, with a Christian Mass on Tuesday June 8 at 10 a.m. at the Our Lady of Grace R.C. Church.