Conn. man who married wife at hospital after 2nd cancer diagnosis dies at 26
Stratford resident Jonathan Sales — who captured local headlines when he and his wife tied the knot at a hospital less than three months ago — died Monday at the age of 26.
Sales was born on Aug. 11, 1993, in Danbury to Loree D’Amato and Stephen Sales, according to his obituary. He died Monday at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, surrounded by his family.
He went to Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury and then obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
“Jonathan was a devoted teacher that shared his love for science with all of his students at Swift Middle School in Watertown ... for the last four years,” his obituary said. “He enjoyed reading, video games, spending time with his cats and anything science. Most of all, he loved spending time with his loving wife and family.”
Sales is survived by his wife, Alyssa Griffin, his parents, his sister, his grandfather, his motherand father-in-law and countless friends and family, his obituary said.
Less than three months ago, Sales and Griffin married in a ceremony at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
“I love you forever and always,” Griffin wrote in a public Facebook post along with a link to the obituary Thursday night. “Rest easy Jonathan. I like you and I love you.”
Sales was previously diagnosed with cancer as a teen. He was treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center at the age of 13.
Last year, Sales was diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
Sales and Griffin initially planned to get married in 2020. But after Sales’ cancer diagnosis, they decided they didn’t want to wait.
As he was preparing to start treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, hospital staff worked with Sales and Griffin to arrange a wedding ceremony at the hospital — a first for the facility. The wedding came together in less than two weeks.
“The only real important piece is that when I’m walking down the aisle, Jonathan is the one at the end,” said a statement from Griffin shortly after the couple’s wedding.
The two married on Nov. 30, 2019.
A celebration of Sales’ life will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the cafeteria at Woodbury Middle School at 67 Washington Ave. in Woodbury. Everyone is welcome, a flyer for the gathering said.
In lieu of flowers, according to his obituary, Sales asked his family to have people make donations to Connecticut Children’s
Medical Center or the Make a Wish Foundation.
Online condolences for
Sales can be left at www.munsonlovetere funeralhome.com.