Dec 28, 2014 2 min read

Dolores DeSantis died on June 25 after battling Alzheimer’s and several health issues for nearly 20 years. Her husband George, who will turn 90 in January, took care of Dolores, bathing, dressing and brushing her teeth, cooking dinner and taking her to doctor’s appointments.

“I miss her a lot. I’m kind of lonely,” said DeSantis, who said he could not bring himself to put up Christmas decorations this year.

Since his wife of 66 years passed away, he started helping out at Iannetti’s Garden Center, where he used to work, and made bows for Christmas wreaths during the Christmas season.

He also has flown to Georgia to visit his son, David, daughter-in-law Cheryl, and his two grandsons, and his daughter, Marilyn, visits on weekends.

He still drives and attends church.

DeSantis tries to stay busy, and cleans his house and cooks.

“People don’t undertand a husband taking care of his wife like I did, but I’d do it again. I feel good about it,” said DeSantis.

Readers met the DeSantises in June, during the Alzheimer’s series installment on caregivers.

DeSantis knew Dolores since he was 6 years old, and escorted her to her graduation dance for their first date.

Dolores quit her job at Cunningham Welding and Machine Service to raise their two children, and she loved her family.

“It’s going to be a tough Christmas on me. I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”