My name is Michael Hoard and I am defending my deceased wife in the state's denial of her pension after 38 years of dedicated service. From her hospital bed on October 18, 2019, we filled out her retirement paper work and had it notarized. On October 19, 2019, I over-night mailed the forms to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS). She chose October 21, 2019 as her retirement date on the form.

My wife suffered from Stage 4 Lung Cancer for two years. During the week preceding us filling out her Retirement Form, she had suffered a heart attack and at least two strokes, complications from cancer. In addition, I learned that the cancer had started spreading like a wildfire throughout her body. This is the reason we rushed her retirement pack to the state. Over the past year she refused to retire and collect disability, which probably would have earned her more money than she made actually going to work. But she was a fighter and loved her job and the people she worked with, so she kept telling me, "Just another year." On October 25, 2019, Kathy passed away in our new home under Hospice Care. She had only been able to enjoy this home for three weeks before I had to bring her to the hospital.

I think we were both guilty of being in denial where the disease was concerned. You see, up to just weeks before her death we would go fishing from our Kayak and live life pretty close to normal. The treatments were working to keep the tumors stable. The sickness associated with treatment would cause her to miss a few days a month from work and occasionally she would have to leave early, but she was a soldier at heart and kept moving forward, striving to live the life she loved.

Instead of giving up when she learned of the cancer she began to shine brighter than she ever had before. She dedicated her life to helping others with this horrible disease. We started a team, Kathy's Team Fist Bump, which raised over $8,500 in two years as participants in the Pine Bush, NY, Relay For Life Event. We started an online Journal/Blog (Diagnosed With Cancer, What Now? Kathy’s Team Fist Bump Shares Their Experience.)  to help others through the confusing maze of challenges a patient and/or caregiver must go through before treatment can finally begin. This post has well over 9,000 views from around the world! We also started a book together that would be a continuation of the Journal to help those newly diagnosed with cancer. 

These are just a few of the reasons Kathy deserves what she has earned. She never wanted to cheat people, only help them. And to have such an inspirational person to literally thousands of others cheated after death, and by an employer that she has given so much too, makes this an unbelievable tragedy in today's world. 

On 12/13/19, I sat down for an interview with News 12 reporter Nikita Ramos to discuss a Senate Bill that is currently stalled at a special committee, and has been since June. This bill will defend others like me that witnessed their loved ones fill out their State Retirement paperwork only to lose them before the 15 days the state demands had passed. Click the following link to view my interview: Interview with News12

Listening to Senator Peter Harckham's statement following my interview I have a strong suspicion that this bill will never pass. To safeguard against this I am starting this petition so that Kathy's Rights are honored before the bill fails, at which time, I'm sure they will use that as more ammunition to fight us.

After contacting friends, co-workers of Kathy and myself, and elected officials, the New York State Comptroller's office received numerous calls. Since 12/6/19, I have received two phone calls from the New York State Retirement System with offers, which are really nothing more than offers to send me the benefits I, as the beneficiary, am entitled to as things stand now. It's called an Ordinary Death Benefit, which is paid to the beneficiary of a deceased state employee that has not retired yet. Once Governor Cuomo approves Senate Bill S5876, then I will be able to collect the Post Retirement Death Benefit, which includes the pension she earned. KEY WORDS: "Once Governor Cuomo approves Senate Bill S5876". They say it like it's a guaranteed thing.

I continue to explain to them that Kathy wanted to retire on October 21, 2019. She knew she wasn't capable of working any longer. The state, if you think of it like I am, as her husband, forced her to work longer than she was capable. The state changed her retirement date to November 3, 2019. Kathy passed away on October 25, 2019, allowing them to simply classify her death for Ordinary Death Benefits and save the money she had earned as a retiree.   

I gave the October 21st retirement date she had chosen to her friends so they could coordinate a type of retirement celebration for her even though the strokes had taken her movement and voice away. When I told them the new retirement date the state had picked no one visited on October 21st. And no one visited on November 3rd either because she had already died. So, can you see how this affects me, her husband? She has hosted so many retirement parties over the years and she couldn't wait for her own, but it would never be because of this law...or forced labor. That's actually how I'm starting to see it and it angers me!

I am very confused, uncertain, and terrified that I won’t be able to honor my wife's dying wish's. I am humbly asking for your support in finding someone that we elected into office that has enough of a human side to get this case to THE person who HAS THE POWER TO OVERTURN THIS DENIAL. You can't tell me that a convicted felon can get a pardon but someone like my wife can't be forgiven for dying 8 days before the state's chosen retirement date for her!

Please sign and share so we can make this petition go viral.

For those wanting to go one step further please contact Governer Kathy Hochul and tell him what you think of this petition. (Mail: State Street, Albany, NY, 12230, Ph: 518-474-8390, Online Form: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

There's Power in Numbers Because WE Elect the People Who Will Be Receiving This Petition. TAKE PART IN RIGHTING THIS HORRIBLE INJUSTICE DONE TOO MY SOULMATE AND WIFE!

#justiceforkathy #wegotyourbackkathyhoard #kathysteamfistbump #cancersucks