Fundraiser loses battle with ALS
Local News - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 @ 02:00

A popular financial services agent, who tried to raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's disease after being diagnosed three years ago, has died.

Daniel "Dan" Gentilcore passed away Friday at Greater Niagara General Hospital, surrounded by members of his family.

He was 49.


Gentilcore, who worked in the insurance industry for more than 25 years, was diagnosed with the progressive and slowly debilitating disease in 2004.

He was the subject of a feature article in The Review published in November 2005, while trying to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for the disease, which is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

"People are not aware, they don't know what ALS is," Gentilcore said at the time. "You mention Lou Gehrig, and they know a little more, but it's not well understood. I want people to be able to understand."

A funeral mass will be celebrated today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Fairview Mausoleum.

In memoriam donations can be made to ALS Research, c/o Dr. Turnbull at McMaster University.