Gary Schmeling, 43, Died Sunday

Sunday, just three days short of his 44th birthday, Gary Schmeling of Framingham died, due to complications from Thoracic Metastatic Carcinoma.

Schmeling is survived by his wife Jodie and their three children, Andrew, 20, Bryan, 18 and Kailee, 14.

Framingham Patch published a report last week, about a GoFundMe set up to help Gary and his family.

Family & friends were hoping to raise $20,000 and had raised $2,255.

As of today, $6,970 raised by 127 people in 16 days. 

"At this time, we are doing a memorial fundraiser in hopes of helping Jodie and the kids after she was forced to stop working two weeks ago. They are in desperate need of help. Please anything you can do is very much appreciated. God bless all of you and thank you for your kindness and generosity," wrote fund organizer Mary Arrandale March 9 on the GoFundMe.com page.

Framingham Patch will publish service information when available.

In mid-January, Schmeling, 43, thought he might have an ulcer and went to the ER.

After a week of tests, Schmeling, a Framingham father of three, learned he has Thoracic Metastatic Carcinoma; and it had spread throughout his entire stomach. The cancer, which originated in his lungs, continues to spread throughout his body.

Schmeling started chemotherapy at Dana Farber in Boston. Arriving for his second chemo treatment, he was told his body could not tolerate any more treatments as his tumors were rapidly growing. Doctors told him chemo would not help, but only make him worse or possibly end his life as his body was rejecting it, said family friend Arrandale.

He was sent home and put on hospice with a diagnosis of 6 to 8 weeks to live. He died Sunday, March 9, 2014.