An interview with Joseph Golomboski from Team Golomboski on July 5, 20203 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Joseph Golomboski Jr., and I was born in Providence, Rhode Island. I currently reside in Warwick, Rhode Island.
I’m Co-Chair of Team Golomboski.
Member of the American Parkinsons Disease Association Rhode Island Chapter Board of Directors, Executive Board Secretary, and Chair of the annual Optimism Walk beginning in 2021.
2021 Honey Dew Donhts Dew Good Awards Top 10 Finalist.
April 30, 2022, named New England Revolution Hero of the Match.
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
My Parkinson’s disease experience began in 2004 with the diagnosis of my father, Joseph Golomboski Sr.
My father was just 44 years old when he was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease, and I was only 16 and my sister was 13 at the time.
As my father’s Parkinson’s disease advanced, we contacted the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Rhode Island Chapter, seeking additional assistance and resources from then-Chapter Coordinator Mary Ellen Thibodeau. The dedication and individual attention offered by APDA is still evident today.
In 2014, my sister and I founded Team Golomboski for the APDA RI Optimism Walk to honor my father and raise funding for research, community activities, and grants to assist other families in similar situations to ours, and to let them know they are not alone in this battle.
Though my father passed in 2019 from circumstances connected to Parkinson’s disease, his legacy continues on as Team Golomboski raised over $20k for APDA RI.
Beginning in 2022, my family hosted our first annual Funny 4 Funds Comedy show in memory of my father, with great success, each fundraiser has raised over $4 thousand dollars.
Team Golomboski
Team Golomboski was formed in 2014 by the two children of Joseph Golomboski Sr., Joseph Golomboski Jr. and Alicia Golomboski.
The primary reason for the formation of Team Golomboski was to find a way to honor their father, who was diagnosed with young-onset/early-onset Parkinson’s disease around 2004, at the age of 44, while also helping others in their community with PD.
That is when Alicia and Joseph Jr. contacted the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Rhode Island Chapter and learned more about their yearly Optimism Walk and Run.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
Team Golomboski was formed to honor and now in memory of my father, Joseph Golomboski Sr.
The APDA Rhode Island Chapter works tirelessly every day to support and empower those in our community who are impacted by Parkinson’s disease (PD). We promote hope and optimism through innovative services, programs, education, and support, while also funding vital research. We are here to help you and your loved ones every step of the way.
The loss of a loving Father, Brother, and Uncle
On Friday, August 9, 2019, Joseph P. Golomboski, 59, of Johnston, passed away peacefully at Cherry Hill Manor. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John and Teresa (Pascone) Golomboski.
He is survived by his two children, Alicia Golomboski and Joseph P. Golomboski, Jr. and his wife Kirby; two brothers, Charles Golomboski and Anthony Golomboski and his wife, Gayle; and his sister, Maria Francis and her husband, Joseph.
Though the loss of their father, Joseph Golomboski Sr. was heartbreaking for the entire family, the Golomboski family continued to Stand Strong Against Parkinson’s Disease.
In 2019, Team Golomboski raised $2,912 which benefited the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Rhode Island Chapter and continued to Stand Strong to Honor and Remember the memory of Joseph Golomboski Sr.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My mission is to promote awareness of the various programs and support groups offered by APDA RI so that families and people with Parkinson’s disease may live their lives to the fullest. By generating funds for the organization, improved treatment and, ultimately, a cure may be found one day through sustained research.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with Team Golomboski ?
Through my work for the annual Optimism Walk, I’ve been able to connect individuals with and without PD who organize fundraisers for their teams (examples: bake sales, lemonade stands, yard sales) and those who wish to join the Walk Committee to help make the event even more successful.
How has Team Golomboski adapted over the years?
Team Golomboski Goes Virtual
In 2020, Joseph Jr. joined the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island chapter to assist further with their fundraising and community outreach goals and was the key speaker for the Rhode Island chapter’s Virtual Optimism Walk.
That year, Team Golomboski tackled the many challenges that COVID-19 presented and was able to raise more than $2,200 to benefit those with Parkinson’s disease and the others who were highly impacted by the pandemic.
What events do you participate in?
Annual Optimism Walk, Annual Golf Tournament, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and other Community Outreach opportunities
While learning about APDA RI, this is when they learned about the several financial support programs they offer to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their families.
Today the APDA Rhode Island Chapter is pleased to offer a Financial Support Program that provides financial assistance to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their families. Approved applicants will be granted up to $500 once per calendar year (January-December). Funds may be used for programs, services, and/or activities designed to improve quality of life.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants will be notified within sixty (60) days of receipt. Awards are given on a first-come basis and are based on the availability of funds. The program is subject to change or discontinuation with limited notice.
How does Team Golomboski also assist the caregivers?
Knowing that you are not alone in this battle and that there are people in the community who have had similar or different experiences may help you navigate the journey of being a caregiver.
How can someone get in touch with Team Golomboski? What is your website?
teamgolomboski@gmail.com or www.teamgolomboski.com or by reaching out to APDA RI Chapter Coordinator Michelle Mach (401) 439-8435 apdari@apdaparkinson.org
www.apdaparkinson.org/community/rhode-island
Media can be located at https://sites.google.com/view/teamgolomboski/media?authuser=0
Giving back https://sites.google.com/view/teamgolomboski/gives-back?authuser=0
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Stand Strong Against Parkinson’s Disease.
More on Team Golomboski
Joseph Golomboski Jr. Chairs the 2021 APDA RI Optimism Walk
Joseph Golomboski Jr. continued his work with APDA RI in 2021 by relaunching and managing the organization’s social media presence and has organized numerous fundraising events to benefit the PD community, such as the annual Team Golomboski Facebook and In-Person Yard Sale.
In April of 2021, Joseph helped organize the Statewide recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which was recognized by the RI House and Senate by Resolutions.
In addition, Joseph Jr. became the Chair of the 2021 Optimism Walk to benefit the RI APDA. He managed all aspects of the event, from securing financial sponsors to recruiting participants and event volunteers. All funds raised are used to provide financial assistance to the Parkinson’s community for exercise and wellness, transportation, caregiver support groups, and respite care. Because of Joe’s efforts, the event raised more than $70,000.
Every dollar raised is used to help and support people in Rhode Island.
Team Golomboski continues today In Memory of Joseph Golomboski Sr. and those who have lost their life or family member to Parkinson’s Disease and will continue to Stand Strong until there is a cure.
The Marriage of Joseph Golomboski Jr. and Kirby Starnino
In 2019, things took a sudden turn for the worse, in and out of hospitals; the health of Joseph Golomboski Sr. quickly became a major concern.
By that Summer, the family had placed Joseph Golomboski Sr. on Hospice Care and was told that the end was near.
After much discussion between his son and his soon-to-be wife, Joseph Golomboski Jr. and Kirby Starnino decided it was time to get married so Joseph Golomboski Sr. would be there to witness it.
Joseph and Kirby informed Hospice of their plans, and the date that they were looking at. At that time, they were informed it would need to happen that weekend, so they both decided that with just 3 days to plan out their wedding, that Sunday, July 14, 2019 was going to be the day.
The entire week Joseph Golomboski Sr. didn’t get out of bed as things were progressively getting worse.
When the time came, with the help of the staff at Cherry Hill Manor Nursing Home, Joseph Golomboski Sr. was ready to get into his wheelchair as nothing was going to stop him from attending his son’s wedding.
