Meet Paul Dostie
“I know when I'm with you guys no matter where it is it will feel like an oasis.”
For those who knew Paul, he was humble, kind, generous, fun, witty, hardworking and he loved his family, friends, community, and LIFE! He was a man of strong faith and a believer in humanity. That day in Oct 2019 when he received the “You have Glioblastoma, a non-curable brain cancer”, it rocked our world beyond measure. As Paul did with everything in life, he took on the challenge with his positive spirit to “FIGHT this FIGHT” against this terrible disease. Even with all his fight, on May 25th, 2021, the battle ended…taking him away from this earthly life. However, his fight with Glioblastoma can NEVER take away the impact he made on everyone he met in his 59 years.
Paul was all about mentoring, giving and helping others. To keep his legacy going, the family decided to establish the Paul Dostie “KARE”, (Kindness Always Rewards Everyone) Foundation to support the things Paul would love his legacy to continue, helping mentor others and supporting families with someone facing a life-threatening disease.
Complications of the disease may have taken life away from Paul Dostie, but his legacy helping others will continue!!!
Meet the Board
Linda Dostie Kelly
President / Executive Director
Linda is the oldest of the siblings and after the passing of their mother in 2006, became the “matriarch” of her 3 younger brothers. The family bond has always been strong between the siblings and Paul’s immediate and extended families. The family knew after his passing we needed to keep his legacy alive. Linda recently retired from a career in IT and Program Management as a federal government contractor. She has also volunteered and supported many non-profit organizations. Her recent retirement has enabled her to have time to focus on the foundation and as President, ensure her brother’s voice and passion for others continues.
Jeanne McManus Dostie
Secretary / Executive Director
As the wife of almost 34 years to Paul Dostie, she too was determined to keep his legacy alive. The battle with Glioblastoma (GBM) was a brutal journey and Jeanne was always by his side and his daily support and cheerleader throughout his grueling treatments. In addition, Paul and Jeanne are parents to a daughter with a critical heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Paul was always worried about his daughter’s health as she endured 3 open heart surgeries in her young life. Part of the legacy the Foundation will preserve is helping other patients with both GBM and HCM to honor Paul and to help others focus on beating these life-threating diseases. Jeanne will be the primary advisor into the selection of candidates receiving KARE foundation funds to help cover travel and/or medical expenses.
Steve Terreri
Vice President / Executive Director
As Paul’s brother-in-law (the husband of Jeanne’s sister Maureen), Steve has been a steadfast supporter to Paul and his family, both from a personal and professional perspective. He considers Paul his brother and Jeanne his sister. Family is a priority for him and will inform his decision making. He volunteered for several years to work with Paul as a business advisor and healthcare advocate. Steve brings decades of leadership and management experience to help guide the Foundation. This includes three decades in the Hematology-Oncology space. Among his highest honors of his life was delivering a eulogy at Paul’s service. He discussed Paul’s overwhelming kindness in life that helped coin the name and mission of the foundation.
Brian Dostie
Treasurer / Executive Director
As Paul’s youngest brother and business partner, Brian can safely say he has been by Paul’s side almost every day of his life. For those who knew them, most could not say one name without the other. This loss was unimaginable to Brian, and he is determined to continue to honor his brother’s legacy by being part of Board supporting the Paul Dostie KARE foundation. Brian has now taken the technical helm at the Jerry’s Transmission/Dostie Automotive business in Guilford, CT. Brian will be the primary advisor for the selection of candidates for young adults looking to enter the trades so funds from the foundation can help them get the financial aid they need to start their careers.
The Allie and Paul “Fight” Team
In honor of Paul and to understand the importance of his caring spirit, The KARE Foundation wanted to share a text Paul sent to his family after his diagnosis. Having KARE funds help so many recipients is truly a gift to honor the legacy of Paul and the KARE Foundation family!
“Good morning everyone. I didn't sleep much but my brain was racing with all kinds of random thoughts! I was thinking about how my family has been battling scary medical issues for the last 22 years and realized that these same issues have created the most powerful family bonding moments that most families will never experience! The one that really stands out in my mind was Allie's last open-heart surgery. After weeks of anxiety and worry for the date of the surgery it finally came. We paced the crowded waiting room for 9 hours and we looked up and saw the surgeon rounding the corner with the demeanor of a baseball player rounding home plate after hitting a game winning grand slam!!!! He looked at our terrified faces and said: "the surgery went very well and Allie is off the bypass machine and her heart is functioning on its own" At that moment it felt like a lightning bolt of love and prayers blasted into every one of us! It was a truly magical family bonding moment! I think Betty might have been guiding the lightning bolt from heaven even though she had terrible aim! Maybe she used her GPS but it was a " direct hit"!! I need everyone to create their own family bonding moment. Next time you see a loved one think of something special to say to them and give them a hug! Let's go! " group hug " everyone!!! I promise it will not only brighten their day but yours as well”.
Note: for those who do not know, Betty was our beloved mother who passed suddenly of heart issues in 2006.