‘I don’t want them to suffer’: Heartbreaking reason father-of-two Thomas Giordimaina planned his own funeral

A father-of-two has been forced to plan his own funeral after he found an unusual lump on the side of his neck.

Tom Giordimaina, 50, with his daughter Kayla. Picture: Supplied

Father-of-two Thomas Giordimaina, who doctors say may die any day, has made all his final arrangements.

The 50-year-old said he has called Simplicity Funerals at Victor Harbor, chosen the songs to play, the photos to show and organised the payment. He’s even contacted a cemetery and picked where he will be buried.

He said he didn’t want his grieving family – wife Vanessa, 47 and young children, son, Lukas, 14 and daughter, Kayla, 7, to be burdened.

“I don’t want them to suffer any more than what I’m suffering, it’s not fair” the dad told The Advertiser.

“If I can do it while I’m alive, that’s what I decided to do.

“I try to do as much as I can … because my wife is going to deal with grief and it’s going to be hard for her.”

Tom Giordimaina, 50, with his wife Vanessa, son Lukas, 12 and daughter Kayla, 7. Picture: Supplied

Tom Giordimaina, 50, has been battling terminal thyroid cancer for six years and is planning his own funeral. Picture: Supplied

Mr Giordimaina has terminal thyroid cancer. After being diagnosed in 2018 the cancer has since spread to his chest, lungs and lymph nodes.

“It’s everywhere,” the Encounter Bay man said.

Mr Giordimaina said doctors say he could die now or any week and knowing that has been extremely difficult to deal with, especially for his young family.

“It’s breaking their hearts,” he said.

“I want them to keep strong and (I said) things like this happen in life … and keep going forward and never forget me.”

Tom Giordimaina, 50, with his wife Vanessa. Picture: Supplied

Tom Giordimaina, 50, with his son Lukas. Picture: Supplied

The business owner had been working laying house foundations when he felt a lump on the right side of his neck.

He went to the doctor to undergo tests which confirmed the devastating news – cancer.

Mr Giordimaina underwent multiple rounds of different chemotherapies and radiotherapy, some causing negative reactions. However the cancer continued to spread.

Ultimately he was diagnosed with a terminal prognosis and was forced to close his business.

Tom continues to give back to charity when he can. Picture: Supplied

Unable to stop giving back to the community, Mr Giordimaina decided to start a charitable motorcycle riding club with his friend Heath Norris called Brother Ink Charity Riders.

Through the club they fundraise and raise awareness for a range of charities and causes like men’s mental health, toy runs for children in need and now, cancer.

If you’d like to donate to Mr Giordimaina, you can here.

Originally published as ‘I don’t want them to suffer’: Heartbreaking reason father-of-two Thomas Giordimaina planned his own funeral