Obituary for Axel P. Diaz
In Loving Memory
Celebrate
The Life of Axel P. Diaz, Esq.
It is with great sadness that we announce that beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Axel P. Diaz, Esq., age 50, passed away on Saturday, February 15th, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. He was in the presence of his loving family and received the Holy Sacraments and the Apostolic blessing.
Axel was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in August 2016. Facing his foe with grace, courage, and dignity, he spent the last almost three and a half years battling this implacable disease. He never smoked a day in his life so he held on to the belief that the treatments were in his favor. Anyone else fighting stage IV lung cancer with brain metastasis would have gone quietly into the night, but not Axel. Axel duped doctors time and time again as he survived each tumor, treatment, and therapy head on, as artists like Barry Manilow, Prince, and Billy Joel, were often heard playing from his phone’s speaker. The way he died is just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, he fought authority, and he paved his own way. And if you said he couldn’t do it, he would make sure he could. He used this mantra always, and it showed in the courtroom, on the basketball court, even in the hospital. He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important—the simplicity of living a life with those you love. He savored the moments with his wife, children, friends, and family over any material possession. He achieved temporary relief now and again, but the complications of the disease soon continued their inexorable match.
But battling the disease is not how Axel wants to be remembered. He was passionate—about his family, about his work, and about his life. We were all his beneficiaries because his enthusiasm and exuberance were contagious. Axel always strove to do his very best, to live life to the fullest, and to appreciate the richness of human experience. We mourn his untimely death, but we celebrate the way he lived his life. He was the consummate professional, remarkable for his graciousness, generosity, quick wit, and wisdom. He will be lovingly and forever remembered by his wife and best friend of 21 years, Michele (née Lignore), and their precious children, Olivia and Jonathan; by his mother, Mercedes; brothers, Robert and Alan; sister-in-law, Maria; nephews, Robert and Anthony; and numerous other extended family, dear friends, and the community at large. Axel was predeceased by his father, Cesar Diaz.
Born in White Plains, Axel was a graduate of Stepinac High School, received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fordham University, and his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School. He became an illustrious Throggs Neck resident when he married the love of his life, Michele. Axel was not only a devoted husband and father, but he was also a devout Catholic and proud member of both the New York State and the Connecticut State Bar Associations. Axel’s outstanding business acumen was balanced by passionate interests in basketball, golf, walking, politics, and music. In his personal interactions he showed a disarming warmth, an infectious smile, and a kind and compassionate spirit. He was a great family man. Anyone who knew him knew he lived and breathed for his wife and children. Axel was honored by his many accomplishments, personally and professionally, but his proudest moments were when he was saying that he was the father of Olivia and Jonathan. He was their biggest champion and supporter. Axel’s only wish was for them to be the best they could be, pursue their passions and interests, and gain happiness and success. Axel was the son, brother, husband, father, friend, you wish you had, and the man you aspire to be. Death can never take a good man away, for in the hearts of the people he inspired, his legacy remains. Although Axel leaves us an extraordinary legacy, our sense of loss is great.
A celebration of Axel’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 19th, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schuyler Hill Funeral Home. A funeral mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 20th, at St. Frances de Chantal Parish. An interment will follow in the family plot at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Celebrate
The Life of Axel P. Diaz, Esq.
It is with great sadness that we announce that beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Axel P. Diaz, Esq., age 50, passed away on Saturday, February 15th, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. He was in the presence of his loving family and received the Holy Sacraments and the Apostolic blessing.
Axel was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in August 2016. Facing his foe with grace, courage, and dignity, he spent the last almost three and a half years battling this implacable disease. He never smoked a day in his life so he held on to the belief that the treatments were in his favor. Anyone else fighting stage IV lung cancer with brain metastasis would have gone quietly into the night, but not Axel. Axel duped doctors time and time again as he survived each tumor, treatment, and therapy head on, as artists like Barry Manilow, Prince, and Billy Joel, were often heard playing from his phone’s speaker. The way he died is just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, he fought authority, and he paved his own way. And if you said he couldn’t do it, he would make sure he could. He used this mantra always, and it showed in the courtroom, on the basketball court, even in the hospital. He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important—the simplicity of living a life with those you love. He savored the moments with his wife, children, friends, and family over any material possession. He achieved temporary relief now and again, but the complications of the disease soon continued their inexorable match.
But battling the disease is not how Axel wants to be remembered. He was passionate—about his family, about his work, and about his life. We were all his beneficiaries because his enthusiasm and exuberance were contagious. Axel always strove to do his very best, to live life to the fullest, and to appreciate the richness of human experience. We mourn his untimely death, but we celebrate the way he lived his life. He was the consummate professional, remarkable for his graciousness, generosity, quick wit, and wisdom. He will be lovingly and forever remembered by his wife and best friend of 21 years, Michele (née Lignore), and their precious children, Olivia and Jonathan; by his mother, Mercedes; brothers, Robert and Alan; sister-in-law, Maria; nephews, Robert and Anthony; and numerous other extended family, dear friends, and the community at large. Axel was predeceased by his father, Cesar Diaz.
Born in White Plains, Axel was a graduate of Stepinac High School, received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fordham University, and his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School. He became an illustrious Throggs Neck resident when he married the love of his life, Michele. Axel was not only a devoted husband and father, but he was also a devout Catholic and proud member of both the New York State and the Connecticut State Bar Associations. Axel’s outstanding business acumen was balanced by passionate interests in basketball, golf, walking, politics, and music. In his personal interactions he showed a disarming warmth, an infectious smile, and a kind and compassionate spirit. He was a great family man. Anyone who knew him knew he lived and breathed for his wife and children. Axel was honored by his many accomplishments, personally and professionally, but his proudest moments were when he was saying that he was the father of Olivia and Jonathan. He was their biggest champion and supporter. Axel’s only wish was for them to be the best they could be, pursue their passions and interests, and gain happiness and success. Axel was the son, brother, husband, father, friend, you wish you had, and the man you aspire to be. Death can never take a good man away, for in the hearts of the people he inspired, his legacy remains. Although Axel leaves us an extraordinary legacy, our sense of loss is great.
A celebration of Axel’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 19th, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schuyler Hill Funeral Home. A funeral mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 20th, at St. Frances de Chantal Parish. An interment will follow in the family plot at Woodlawn Cemetery.