Florida – Spring 2022

Sensitive, kind, loving, creative, animal lover At 4’11” and 100 pounds, Jessica was small in stature but big in personality and presence. Her twin sister, Jennifer, describes her as a unique, eccentric, creative person, “a badass”, who marched to her own drum and did what she wanted.” She had a bold, trend-setting fashion sense and liked to read and express herself through poetry and writing. Jennifer is currently compiling Jessica’s writings into a book. Jessica loved all animals. According to their mom, Jessica and her sister snuck a lot of animals into the house over the years. [...]

Gentle, thoughtful, intelligent, loving Ben was the youngest of four children and the classic “baby of the family,” according to his mother, Karen. He was 6’4”, 220 pounds, handsome, gentle, intelligent, and fun-loving. He adored his older brothers and sister. His closest bond was with his oldest brother, Michael. He was a hero to Ben. He was smart, kind, and a loving role model. When Michael was a senior in high school, he struggled with depression, which led him to self-medicate with drugs and eventually become addicted. He committed suicide at 20 when Ben was 11. Michael’s death profoundly affected the family, all grieving in individual ways. Ben had promised Mike he would never use drugs, but could not keep that promise. [...]

Funny, loving, kind, sensitive, and lonely William was a hilarious person. His mom, Carolyn, always knew it, but it was confirmed at his Zoom memorial service, which was attended by over 125 people. Many of them told stories about how William lit up a room and kept them laughing through his jokes and antics. His mother said, “As parents, we don’t always know how our children are known to their friends. She was proud to hear what a caring and loving man he was to so many people.” [...]

Kind soul gone too soon Patrick was from a family of seven, including siblings Kathy, Kevin, John, and William, where there was never a dull moment. He was family-oriented and expressed his deep love freely, always telling his mom. “I love you more than life itself.” He shared the closest bond with his twin brother, William. They called each other their “twinkie.” Patrick had no children but loved his many nieces and nephews. [...]

Unconditionally loving, caring, funny, a true friend, unforgettable Shy, but perpetually smiling, Giovanni could make you laugh even if you didn’t know what was being laughed at. He had an innocence about him that made him always see the good side of everyone. He was forgiving, loving, and a true gentleman. Gio would wake each morning with a smile from ear to ear, open his arms and give his mom the longest hug–so long she would say, “I would like to stay like this forever, but you have to get ready for school.” [...]

A warrior’s heart, driven by love in all he did According to Cindy, Kyle’s mother, he was fierce in all he did; in athletics, in loving his family and friends, and fierce in loyalty to those he cared about. Kyle loved life and embraced it fully. He was unique. “He was my Pitbull, relentless at times, like badgering me over and over to open just one present sitting under the tree before Christmas.” [...]

Kind, compassionate, caring, loyal, old soul Alison was a beautiful soul with a caring heart for others. She was intelligent, outgoing, and athletic. She had a heart of compassion for those who needed a friend, like a fellow day camper with Down’s syndrome she befriended one summer. She was a girl scout through middle school, played soccer, and later excelled at gymnastics. She was the only freshman on the varsity cheerleading squad.[...]

Loving, compassionate, kind, strong-willed, humanitarian, environmentalist “A consistent theme in Kerri’s life from her early years to her final day was her deep love for her family,” her mother, Lisa, said. She loved from the depths of her soul. Kerri enjoyed the beach, hiking, yoga, and fighting for just about any cause. She was empathetic but could also hold a grudge like no other. When she got mad, her mom would say, “You get more bees with honey,” to which Kerri would respond, “Yes, mom, but a fly swatter works better!” [...]

Kind, loving, funny, loyal, hard-working Anthony’s mother, Valerie, described him as “a loving and kind son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.” He liked to play computer games, watch football, and hang out with friends. He often chased birds and always thought he could catch them! He could often be found lying on the couch reading for hours and hours. Anthony loved to swim, play basketball, and eat. He planted a vegetable garden every year and made meals with the fresh veggies. [...]

Connected to nature and people, a heart too big for his own good, hard life. “My son was a sweet, caring, funny, active, and mischievous child. As an adult, he was loving, generous, and had the biggest heart,” stated AJ’s mom, Maria. While growing up, he rode bikes, played tennis, went fishing, and liked to swim. He tried hard in school, but learning did not come easily for AJ. He could get frustrated or angry. [...]

A gift, genuine, loving, fun, adventurous Cameron was loving, curious, adventuresome, funny, smart, and sensitive. He loved snowboarding, going to summer camp, and hanging out with neighborhood friends. He also loved to travel, which he did from a young age with his family, both domestically and internationally. Every year the family took a vacation to various places including Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Hawaii, Mexico, and backpacking in Europe.[...]

Lived life to the fullest Patrick was a loving, sweet person. He was his mother’s first-born child and a mama’s boy. Part of a seamless, blended family since he was very young, he loved all his siblings, Charlotte, Kendra, Brittany, and Stephanie. Given so many sisters, if he wanted to play with them as a young boy, it meant playing Barbie! But later his sisters joined him in outdoor activities like four-wheeling, fishing, dirt biking, and mudding. [...]

Kind, loving, old school soul Taylor never saw the bright light that emanated from behind his piercing blue eyes. When you met Taylor, he drew you in and you were his friend for life. He was goofy and funny and always kept people laughing. He was accepting of all people, pure in heart, and just wanted to be loved. [...]

Persistent, thrill-seeking, artistic, kind Though Ryan gave many things to the people he was friends with, the common thread was giving his heart selflessly to others. Never judgmental about others’ beliefs, abilities, or circumstances, he was open-minded and accepting of everyone he encountered. He was a protector of his family and stuck up for anyone who was being bullied or picked on. [...]

A warrior’s life cut short Cey was extraordinary. She was loving, fun to be around, and often silly. She was outdoorsy, artsy and loved hanging out with her dad, Mike; it devastated her to lose him when she was 22. She adored her dog, Bud, and all animals, and even rescued a baby skunk and fed it formula. Cey was all tomboy until her teens. [...]

Spontaneous, loyal, protector, lovable, mom Katie was a character. She was free-spirited, happy, bubbly, and very animated. As a child, she imitated Disney movies, sitting in front of a mirror talking with Grandmother Willow or playing the roles of Simba and Nala. She was a lot of fun. She loved new adventures, rollercoasters, Halloween Horror Nights, and her son, Ryder. [...]

Caring, funny, kind, giving, pleasant Growing up, John was very inquisitive and interested in people. Even if he met you once, he would remember you a year later and notice subtle changes, like hairstyles. He got along with everyone. John played little league baseball on the school team and liked fishing and football. He especially enjoyed attending and watching Yankees games. As a kid, he loved his hamster, Michael, and once did a book report on him, which his mom came across recently. It made her smile. [...]

Charismatic, compassionate, complex, inquisitive, loyal Alex was charismatic, confident, inquisitive, and always true to himself. “He was a husky guy with a beautiful smile and a tender look in his eye,” his mom, Millie, said, ‘A gentle giant.’ He was a loyal friend who supported others. And he loved the color purple! [...]

Loving, protective, family-oriented, bold, fearless, funny The oldest daughter of five children, Anna, was family-oriented and a nurturing, motherly figure to her siblings. When Anna’s mother Donna was going to school and working, Anna picked up the slack in the family, keeping the house orderly, braiding hair, and making sure the kids were well-groomed and appropriately dressed. She was also stubborn, outspoken, tough, and protective of those she loved.[...]

Funny, sweet, helpful, hardworking Q had a big heart and a sweet soul. As a child, he was mischievous and hung out with his best friend, Ian, all the time. He loved Jesus, his family, fishing, cooking, boating, and anything outdoors. Q liked to play video games and was partial to watches and shoes. He was also an avid Detroit sports fan. Q was an all-around great guy who wanted to have a normal life and get beyond fighting the demon of substance use disorder. He was looking forward to going to Costa Rica with his family the summer he died. [...]

He made our lives better Ryan loved life, and all it offered. He was kind, forgiving, and made life better for those around him. His laugh was infectious, and he saw the surrounding beauty no matter what was going on for him. His mother, MaryBeth, described his hugs like being embraced with complete, pure love. “It was impossible to be anything but happy when he was around,” his mom stated. “There was an energy about him I still feel.”[...]

Loving, compassionate, kind, humorous, selfless, friend Connor was smart, humorous, sensitive, and kind, with the ability to make each person feel special to him. He was a skilled listener and had an acute awareness of the needs of others, often sacrificing his comfort for theirs. When going to dinner with his mom, Gretchen, he would pick a Thai restaurant (her favorite), with his dad, he would pick BBQ (dad’s favorite). He took the most uncomfortable seat in the van on family vacations and would never go for seconds until he was sure everyone had enough food. [...]

Selfless, beautiful soul, big-hearted, lived life to the fullest Sarah Beth’s personality was larger than life and at six feet, she radiated her presence when she walked into a room. She was stunning and gregarious. She was the silly daughter, always fun, dancing, and having a good time. Sarah Beth looked up to her older sister Rebekah and had great respect for her stepfather, Bob, who understood her illness and was always supportive of her. She and Bob regularly recorded, then watched Jeopardy together. They challenged each other, hitting the pause button while they each answered, then seeing who was right. She always knew she had a place to stay with her mom and stepdad and valued that, often leaving them notes of thanks and appreciation.[...]

Amazing son, friend, father, and family man “There was nothing about Joseph that would have predicted that he would have substance use disorder, his mother,” Renee said. “This could happen to anyone–we are proof of that.” [...]

Loving, funny, thoughtful, selfless, beautifully broken Ian was “little Mr. Independent” as a child. He loved his cars, trucks, and dinosaurs. When he was two, he was sitting at the breakfast table staring at the wheels on his car intensely while spinning them. He actually put himself to sleep and fell off the chair! Ian was initially quiet but came out of his shell at about nine. He skateboarded, played street hockey and little league. Anything outdoors was appealing to him. He also became a practical joker with his mom as his primary victim. Any time she got startled by a rubber snake hidden somewhere, she knew Ian was at the bottom of it.[...]

Kind, gentle, intelligent, daring, wicked sense of humor When Alex was little, he was open, free, chatty, and precocious. He was a character; very happy, intensely creative, and inquisitive from day one and loved to learn about the world. Alex constantly asked questions until he was satisfied with the answers. The family laughingly said: “he was a force to be reckoned with and marched to his own music.” In addition to those traits, Alex was compassionate, kind, and had a quick sense of humor. [...]

Deep thinker, creative, caring, sensitive, intelligent Mark was inquisitive. He enjoyed immersing himself in the study of the natural world, learning about creatures at the beach, acorns on the sidewalk, and insects in the yard. He was the kid on the baseball team, more enamored with the dandelions in the outfield than the game. Mark liked to draw, play with Legos, and give gifts to his family. [...]

Michael was life’s greatest gift. Mike was a sweet, beautiful boy who loved spending time with family and friends. His mom, Glenna, remembers Mike’s love of the Superman shirt she made him. He wanted to wear it to daycare every day. He had a great sense of humor and loved making people laugh. Mike watched the movie Hook and when his mom asked if he liked the movie, Mike replied, “What was Captain Hook’s name before he lost his hand?” His mom knew then that Mike looked at life uniquely. [...]

An Angel on earth who changed lives. Ari was a gentle soul, beloved by everyone he met. He was a happy-go-lucky child, demonstrative with his love, a good and interested listener, and often gave supportive hugs to those who needed them. He won a Florida speech competition, had his Bar Mitzvah, and helped start small businesses for minorities in Israel. In high school, he started a group called STAND to raise awareness and money for victims of Darfur. He played volleyball in high school and college and served food to those in need. Ari liked to play guitar and sing for children in hospitals.[...]

Charismatic, loving, generous, boater, funny In a crowd of people, Andrew stood out as the one who was the warmest, most welcoming and accepting. Andrew made any person feel comfortable and at home. He had a light about him that drew people to him. He was caring and always checked in with people to make sure they were alright or to see what he could do to help them.[...]

Tragic loss of a beautiful, but broken, soul who is forever in our hearts. Carly was described by her mother, Tina, as “a beautiful soul with a gigantic heart, not defined by her addiction, but tragically, defeated by it.” Carly was funny and silly with a rambunctious laugh. As a child, she was precocious. She loved to role play with her Barbie dolls or do comedy skits with her cousins and younger siblings, Jenna and Danny. She was good at doing impressions and cracking up the family by making up silly stories using Rugrats characters. [...]

Beautiful inside and out! Loved by so many… Joshua was a bright, beautiful, kind, and loving person who meant the world to everyone who knew him. He was outgoing and fun to be around with a powerful love of family, especially his little brother with special needs. “Josh was a stunning child with tight, gold curls, massive green eyes, and an infectious laugh,” his mom, Sandra, stated. He was always the tallest in the class and as an adult, his 6’7” frame could easily be spotted in a crowd. [...]

Charismatic, athletic, loving, funny, strong People naturally gravitated to Scott. He made friends easily and had the “gift of gab.” Scott could engage in deep intuitive conversations or sit quietly, listen attentively and give genuine advice. His mother, Debbie, said, “He was a respectful, loving, and kind son.” ‘He never disrespected our family, even in the depths of his disease.’ [...]

Loving, funny, generous, loyal, charismatic Rory was a middle child between his sisters, Hilary and Kimberly. The siblings were two years apart from each other and best of friends. He was witty, caring, loyal, and loving. His infectious laugh filled the room, his smile glowed, and he had a heart of gold, often putting others before himself. He loved magic, was a jokester, and loved using specific expressions which became “Roryisms” to everyone who knew and loved him.[...]

Loving, sensitive, loyal, smart, warrior John-Tyler was full of life and energy. He was brave, loving, compassionate, and hopeful. Always in motion, he loved attention. He put on music shows for the family, as he self-learned how to play guitar. John-Tyler suffered from ADHD and hyperactivity. Though challenging, it was part of what made him unique and special. His aunt, Noelle, said, “His zest for life brought such joy into our lives.” [...]

Loved, loving, brave, beautiful soul, missed Tylar-Ann was a beautiful, big-hearted, kind, and funny woman. She could also be anxious, depressed, and moody; a complex person. Tylar-Ann was a loving, touchy/feely child, a trait that persisted into adulthood. She loved dancing and took hip hop classes for a few years and enjoyed learning about the healing powers of certain stones. Tylar-Ann often took videos with friends showing them goofing around and going places like Halloween Horror Night. Her mom is grateful to have these recorded memories.[...]

Loving, joyful, respectful, playful, kind From birth, Chris was good-humored, loving, and playful. He enjoyed being goofy, playing pranks, making people laugh, and collecting and wearing hats. He was always active, riding his bike, skateboarding, surfing, fishing, playing baseball, and building forts. [...]

Loved and missed Jon was a people magnet. Never judgmental, he could strike up a conversation with anyone he came across and find common ground. “If you didn’t know Jon, you wanted to,” his mother, Della said. Jon was the life of the party, adventurous, and always up for trying new things. He loved any outdoor activities, especially fishing, hunting, and surfing, and he skateboarded into his 40s! [...]

Caring, loving, humorous, adventurous Brian was determined and strong-willed as a child. His mom, Jennifer, said, “He was a typical boy. He loved playing outside, fishing, skateboarding, riding his bike, and being with his friends.” Brian loved showing off his bike and skateboard tricks to the family, watching movies, singing, and dancing with his sister, Brianna, now 22, and hugging and snuggling with his mom. He loved animals and often rescued them. [...]

Irreplaceable, lovable, amazing, noble Ilan was extremely affectionate, attentive, amicable, caring, and a good listener. He was “an honest gentle king with a lot of humor,” his mother said. He was always polite and respectful and treated people with kindness. He was a shy mama’s boy who loved older people, kids, and animals. He loved to eat and cook and as he got older had lots of friends and loved to have fun.[...]