New Books Network John Masiulionis, "Walking Each Other Home – Zachary’s Mission: A Hospice for Children" (Trolley Stop Publishing, 2026)
Apr 10, 2026
John Masiulionis, author and hospice advocate working to build a children’s hospice in San Diego. He discusses his picture book Walking Each Other Home – Zachary’s Mission and its themes of a child’s mission, earth angels, and unconditional love. He also talks about his videocast series, experiences with real hospices, and how personal struggles shaped his work.
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Real People Inspired A Child's Hospice Mission
- John Masiulionis based Walking Each Other Home on real people and his vision to build a children's hospice in San Diego.
- Zachary, a boy dying of cancer, receives a mission from God and four 'earth angels' modeled on John's grandmother, restaurateur Dennis DiPaolo, Georgianne Irvine, and a Reiki practitioner.
Wrestling Radio Led To Kids Hospital Visits
- John's early radio work in wrestling led to hospital visits that sparked his connection to children's hospitals.
- He coordinated wrestler visits to Kids' Hospital in Buffalo, building bonds with the Child Life Department that influenced his hospice focus.
Cancer Diagnosis Sparked A Spiritual Mission Move
- Personal health struggles and his grandmother's death propelled John's spiritual surrender and move toward hospice work.
- After testicular cancer and deep reflection, he relocated to San Diego (2020) to begin building the hospice vision.
