AUBURN - Hard work, in the outdoors, was how he earned his living.

Working in masonry, Cayuga County native Billy Jo Granger was always fit and strong. His wife, Elaine, said she had never seen him sick a single day in the 16 years they've been together.

But, several years ago, all those hours in the sun led to a mole that had to be removed from his back.

In November, after months of feeling too weak to tend to even his beloved lawn, the 44-year-old Granger learned the awful news - the skin cancer he once thought was in check had spread throughout his body.

The prognosis? His doctor told him he had six months to live.

Saturday at the Ukrainian National Club, Granger had one of his best days in years.

Surrounded by his family, his friends, and those that just wanted to help a little, a fundraiser was held to pay for medical expenses, and to make sure that there are plenty of enjoyable days like this to look forward to.

One trip might be to Memphis for a visit to Graceland. Granger has always been a fan of Elvis Presley, another workingclass boy who passed away too young.

“He's hoping for a miracle, but he knows there won't be one,” Elaine said. “But he still hopes every day for one. He's really, really strong. He keeps his spirits up, which keeps my spirits up.”

His companion for nearly the past two decades smiles quickly as she tells stories of the life she and her husband have shared. He has admitted that it is very difficult knowing he'll never see his two grandchildren - Faith, 5, and Sage, 3 - graduate from high school. Or for his daughter to get married, to perhaps have more children.

“He's very hurt by that,” Elaine said.

Asked to describe her Dad in just a couple of words, Lisa Granger said he's “scrappy, funny.”

She looks at her daughter, Faith, will pride as they talk with others in a hallway at the UNC. It is obvious they are mother-and-daughter, the resemblance very striking. There's quite a bit of their grandfather's face there, as well. Granger was beaming with excitement when his first grandchild was born. He plans on attending her birthday party in May.

His daughter talked to his granddaughter last week about his condition, without going past a 5-year-old's ability to understand.

“That was very hard. He's always been very proud of being a grandfather,” Lisa said. “We kind of just told her grampa was sick from working out in the sun, and we were going to have a party for him.

I told her it was important to wear sunscreen.”

It's been about three months since Granger and his family heard the devastating news. Knowing the inevitable could occur at any time, Elaine is matter-of-fact while admitting there is a great deal of uncertainty ahead.

“What am I going to do? We've been together 16 years. He's been my main source of everything,” she said.

“How am I going to live? He's been there for the whole 16 years for me.”