LOCKPORT, N.Y. — In the final weeks of his life, Frank Ozimek wasn’t focused on what he was losing. Instead, he was thinking about the people who had given him comfort, dignity and compassion through his cancer journey.
After spending six weeks receiving care at Niagara Hospice, Frank had one final wish before he passed away at age 67: he wanted the nurses who cared for him to enjoy a meal on Easter Sunday as a heartfelt thank-you.
His younger brother, Ken Ozimek, promised he would make it happen.
There was just one challenge. Nearly every restaurant in the area was closed for the Easter holiday.
Call after call ended the same way until Ken reached Tommy Milani, owner of Sub Delicious Pizza & Subs in Lockport.
Without hesitation, Milani answered, “Absolutely, whatever you need.”
Although the restaurant was closed for the holiday, Milani postponed his own Easter celebration, opened the kitchen, prepared pizzas for the entire nursing staff at Niagara Hospice, and helped fulfill Frank’s final act of gratitude.
For Ken and his family, the gesture meant far more than a meal.
It honored the generous spirit that defined Frank’s life. Family members describe him as someone who would gladly give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. Even while facing the end of his own life, his thoughts remained fixed on thanking others rather than receiving thanks himself.
Milani never met Frank during his illness, yet his willingness to set aside personal plans completed a beautiful circle of compassion. Hospice nurses devoted themselves to caring for Frank. Frank wanted to care for them in return. Milani made sure that final expression of gratitude became reality.
The Heartitude Lens
Heartitude often reveals itself in moments when no one is watching and nothing is expected in return. Tommy Milani wasn’t obligated to reopen his restaurant on Easter. Frank Ozimek didn’t have to spend his final days thinking about others instead of himself. Yet both men demonstrated the same truth: living from the heart creates ripples that extend far beyond a single act of kindness.
Their story reminds us that compassion isn’t measured by the size of the gesture, but by the willingness to place someone else’s needs alongside our own. Gratitude shared. Kindness received. Generosity multiplied. That’s how Heartitude grows—one selfless decision at a time.
As Ken reflected after witnessing the kindness shown to his family, he hoped others would be inspired to spread more joy and compassion in their own communities. That may be the greatest legacy of all.