I guess I'm going to have to switch my account back to my former carrier. In my conversation with the Verizon sales person Hugo, I was informed that a reasonable plan was available that would allow number sharing. However, after more time and effort than I'd like to admit, I am right back where I began with my former carrier. The phone service I have signed up for doesn't support number sharing.
This level of veracity concerns me. My time was invested for little or no return and I am back to square one.