JAY — The community has rallied around Jaye Simoneau, who has brain cancer, and his wife, Tina.
Jaye Simoneau, 52, who is employed by Verso Paper Corp., was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July 2013 and continues to battle the cancer, his wife said Monday.
Last Friday and Saturday a group of co-workers, family and friends stripped the roof of the Simoneaus’ house and put on a new one.
The family’s plan was to hire a roofing contractor to do the work, but their friends would have none of that.
They said not to hire a contractor, they would do it and they ran with it, Tina Simoneau said.
People started showing up Friday and returned on Saturday to complete it.
They even brought dump trailers with them, she said.
Others provided refreshments for the workers.
In all, she estimated about 40 people were involved, even people the family did not know.
“They really thought this all out,” Simoneau said.
Last month, the couple had firewood donated. About 23 people showed up and cut and split it and by 11:30 a.m. that day, they had five cords of stacked firewood ready to go.
People complain about living in a small town, but this shows the benefit of living in one, she said.
Everyone pitches in to help others, she said.
“It’s very overwhelming. Jaye often says ‘we re blessed to have so many friends and family.’ They are all so giving,” Simoneau said. “We’re very thankful.”
dperry@sunjournal.com
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- Community members, family and friends worked Friday and Saturday to put a new roof on the house of Jaye and Tina Simoneau in Jay. Jaye, 52, center in wheelchair, is battling brain cancer.
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- A group of friends, co-workers and family members stripped the roof off the house of Jaye and Tina Simoneau in Jay, and put a new one on Friday and Saturday. Jaye, 52, is battling brain cancer.
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