Massachusetts - Summer 2024

Funny, smart, sweet, and a joy to be around Family and friends describe Isaac Bastian as a gentle spirit. He moved through the world with a sly smile on his face, and days full of love and laughter. Isaac loved animals, family, and friends. He had a sarcastic sense of humor, but was also attuned to what others were feeling. [...]

He existed and always will. Nick’s exceptional intelligence became apparent at an early age. He took the SATs in the sixth grade, tested into the John Hopkins Talent Youth program, and frequently competed with his friends in reciting digits of pi. He excitedly explained computer functions to his father, John, whether or not John understood. In return, John taught Nick how to play baseball, nicknaming him “chicken wing” for his unique running style. They discovered, however, that Nick could pick up anything he put his mind to. In high school, he even managed a State Championship title for the boy’s gymnastics team—even more impressive considering he couldn’t even cartwheel when he joined. [...]

Nathan was a gift from God. We are sorry we had to give him back. Described as “an old soul” by his mother, Kerry, Nathan was introverted, gentle, smart, and very quiet. “He loved his job working with horses,” Kerry said, “because they were gentle and didn’t talk, just like Nathan.” A talented pitcher, he won a special “Babe Ruth” award and also played hockey and baseball. In junior high school, Nathan was awarded a Presidential Academic Excellence award and inducted into the Junior National Honor Society for his straight “A” record. Nathan's grandfather looked on proudly as he was awarded the coveted Math Pin from a team of 80 students. [...]

Charismatic, lovable, humorous, a leader Peter was a natural leader. He treated everyone he met with dignity and respect, and at the same time relentlessly walked to the beat of his own drum. Peter was a friend to all with a personality that easily cut across social groups: friends would marvel, “Pete always makes the right move.” He never belittled people for their shortcomings and with a quick wit, would sometimes weave a subtle, yet kind, word of advice or encouragement upon the unsuspecting wayward friend or traveler.[...]

Kind, compassionate, caring, funny and sincere Andrew had always been an active child–fishing, swimming, doing anything–and if he wasn’t playing sports himself, he was watching sports. It was how he and his mother Sandra bonded: Red Sox games, Patriots’ practices, watching the Red Sox’s World Series in 2004, celebrating Patriots’ Super Bowl wins. One of his most prized possessions was an autographed photo of his all-time favorite player, Carlton Fiske, hitting a home run. [...]

Kind, helpful, honest, energetic, loving From the very beginning, Chris had obstacles to overcome. He grew up in a low-income community with a single mother and a family history of substance use disorder (SUD.) Lack of consistent care made it difficult to manage his mental health as a child and Chris began misusing his ADHD medications as a preteen. He always took responsibility for his choices and never blamed his circumstances. Throughout his illness, Chris loved his family. He had an older sister Carly and a younger brother, Mark. His cousin Kristen was his best friend throughout his life. Their bond remains so strong that she named her son after him. His Nana Judy and Aunt Joan were like second parents to him and always loved him unconditionally. [...]

He's forever in my heart. Richard A. Coelho Jr., or Richie, had a great sense of humor. His mother, Regina Coelho-Hapgood, remembers him as the “life of any party.” He could make friends everywhere he went–magically turning a room full of strangers into friends. Richie also had a generous heart–giving blankets, clothing, and food to the houseless. He always was ready to help a person in need.[...]

Charismatic, loving, talented, big-hearted, with a great smile and sense of humor Andrew Cutler had a contagious smile, a wicked sense of humor, and a twinkle in his eye. He loved pulling pranks and making people laugh. Growing up, his smile charmed the girls and even his teachers had a hard time not laughing at the funny things Andrew did to get himself in trouble. [...]

Beautiful human taken too soon As a child, George was smart, affectionate, funny, and outgoing. He played defense in hockey, football, and lacrosse, and was also a member of the Chess club. George loved music, fishing, and spending time with his family. He loved his mama’s cooking, especially on his birthday, when he would get to pick his favorite meal and enjoy a homemade birthday cake. Among his family were his parents, Susan and Tom, his sister Erin, and his brothers, Michael, and Eddy. He was very close to his family and loved sharing meals with them. [...]

Impact, surrender, love, energy, light Justin was a family man who his loved ones knew was dependable and caring. They would all attest to his magnanimity, as it shone through in the ways he showed up for everyone with love and support. Though his life was challenging at times, he was extremely proud of himself for everything he accomplished and all the obstacles he overcame. [...]

Quick-witted, generous, heart of gold, loved his family. Dan was a fiercely loyal son and brother to six siblings. Anyone who knew could attest that he was a wonderful, kind, caring, and intentional person. His love for his family was the cornerstone of his life. [...]

Sweet, loving, kind, courageous, and sadness “I speak of Matthew often and openly,” his mother, Lisa, said. ‘We won’t end this stigma if we don’t talk about it.’ Matthew’s disease took over his personality way before his passing. “His beautiful eyes and smile became a blank stare with so much sadness,” Lisa stated. But the Matthew that the family knew before that was quite different. He was kind, loving, caring, and happy. He had an impish grin that melted your heart and his love for his family was amazing. [...]

Someone who took the time to sit and talk if needed A people person and prankster with a great demeanor and easy smile, Brett cared for others deeply. His personality and ability to listen was a good fit for his nursing career. His older female patients adored him and the male patients enjoyed sharing stories of their younger years with Brett, who listened attentively. [...]

Faithful, persistent, athletic, handsome, brilliant, loved nature When asked about August, his mother, Sharon, said this: “Auggie was a force to be reckoned with on this planet. He was compassionate and kind and loved his family very much. He was also quiet and thoughtful and always ready for a joke.” [...]

Sensitive, kind, dog-whisperer, animal lover, generous When asked about her son Ash’s unique attributes, Susan Leggett responded, “As his mother, I see every one of his features, every breath, every drawing, every interaction as unique. He was just so kind.” [...]

Giving, creative, helpful, determined Casey was a helper. He regularly gave people rides, shared food, or gave money to those who needed it. He was also an extreme animal lover. “Casey had a beautiful German Shepherd, Angel, that adored him,” his wife Vanessa stated. He worked at two pet supply stores where he tenderly cared for animals and shared his love of them with others. He enjoyed the beach, music, and art, and watching the Patriots. [...]

Kind, compassionate, artistic, loving Nick once wrote a statement he endeavored to live by: “Being a kind and loving person—that’s how I want to be seen. I want my kindness to be so strong it’s contagious.” Nick knew the importance of being present for someone: listening, a handshake, a hug. But most importantly, he knew the importance of helping one person at a time. He took joy in the simple things—drinking a good cup of coffee, stopping by mom-and-pop shops for fresh groceries, walking with his wife Virginia, and pushing their cat Sweetie in a carriage. He loved being in nature. His mother Bernadette remembers Nick excitedly directing her and his dad from the back seat, guiding them down winding roads towards secret hideaways for fishing, hiking and swimming. Nick was a darling son, whether it was rubbing his dad’s shoulders from the back seat to ease his anxiety from being in traffic, or walking arm-in-arm with his mom through the city he loved and called home: Portland, Maine. His appreciation for nature was illustrated in his drawings and photographs. [...]

Loyal, confidante, charismatic, our loving boy Charismatic, caring, witty, loving, and loyal, Ricky could always brighten a bad day with his big laugh and keen sense of humor. He valued his family above all else and enjoyed simply spending time with them. One of his favorite memories was a family trip to Aruba, where they “were together and safe, far from the rest of the world.” He enjoyed having a cup of coffee and a cigarette with his mother Bernadette, and sitting with his grandmothers, Sissy, and Nana. Ricky was Bernadette’s self-proclaimed mama’s boy. The oldest son, Ricky adored his brothers, Nicholas, and Christopher, and always tried to spend time with them. He loved his dog, Lady, and always cuddled her. [...]

Talented, adventurous, artistic, passionate, energetic Luca was about “anything art,” his sister, Hannah, commented. His talents ranged from drawing, painting, and ceramics to poetry, filmmaking, photography, and performance. He loved photographing old and abandoned buildings with an eye that made them interesting and beautiful. His captivating stage presence kept the crowd engaged and entertained and ranged from high school plays to an attraction to the artform of wearing drag. Luca was Queer and passionate about LGBT+ issues, environmental causes and he loved to travel.[...]

Kind, Compassionate, Creative, Intelligent, Caring Jordan’s mother, Paula, spoke with eloquence and love when describing her son. “Jordan was the most compassionate, intelligent, caring, creative person I have ever known. His depth, listening skills and ability to make people feel better about themselves was certainly altruistic, but also could easily be manipulated by people that took advantage.” As a child, he often protected kids with disabilities or those who were being harassed. Even at a young age, he was observant of others’ needs over his own. He always forgave people that mistreated him. “As a parent, Paula said, it’s strange to say, but my son always had the best advice. His explanations of complex issues made him a great teacher.” [...]

A talented, creative, intelligent, loving, charismatic, and tormented soul. Described as “an old soul,” by his mother, Coralee, Johnny loved being outdoors, looking for artifacts and making things from what he found in nature. He once made a beautiful bow for his mother’s birthday. He was also a Knapper, shaping arrowheads from stone or glass to make a sharp edge, using the old ways. [...]

Brave, loving, persevering, talented, incomplete Dedicated, talented, and tough, Mikey was a born hockey player. He began playing at age three, and was joining much older teams by age five. When another team’s player taunted him, he immediately threw down his gloves and earned the mighty mite league’s first ever fighting penalty. His new nickname, “Knuckles,” was stitched into his jackets from then on. Despite his grit, Mikey was kind. “He was the sweetest, most caring kid in the world,” his father, Michael, said. “Always lending a hand, even while facing his own battles.” Off-ice, he was the proud big brother of Ryan, Jarrid, Sydney, and Teighla. He protected them, made them laugh, and yearned to make them proud. He became one of the best hockey players in the state, as well as an accomplished musician/rapper who opened for several well-known acts.[...]

Beautiful, intense, deep, fierce, loving If you ever needed the clothes off John-Paul’s back, he would not only freely surrender them, but also buy you a warm drink and a meal. His mother, Caroline, witnessed this unhesitating kindness throughout her son’s life. As a young boy, John-Paul disliked having birthday parties for himself because he felt uncomfortable receiving gifts. When Caroline suggested asking guests to bring unwrapped gifts for charity instead, he lit up. That year, he donated his gifts to a local shelter for battered women and children. [...]

Artistic, intelligent, compassionate, troubled, loved 
From the time he was born, Cameron was a bright, energetic, and inquisitive child, always keeping his mom on her toes. As a young child, he loved skateboarding and was obsessed with Tony Hawk. He was very artistic and loved to draw, even if that meant on his bedroom walls and closet doors! His will never forget watching him get on the bus for his first day of preschool, peering out the window at her, and then forgetting to get off the bus at his stop on the way home.[...]

Caring, loving, beautiful, determined, focused Few things could prevent Liz from accomplishing what she put her mind to. Academics, sports, even hobbies and crafts—once she started something, she had to be the best at it. One moment she would practice tap dancing around the house; the next, she would pour over her textbooks with single-minded focus. She achieved top grades—particularly in math, graduated in the top ten of her class and was part of the National Honor Society. She earned a scholarship to attend Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, where she made the Dean’s list in her first and only year. [...]

Loving, compassionate, giver, athletic, fun Trevor loved being actively involved in life and had loads of friends. He enjoyed living by the ocean, boating, fishing and watching New England sports. In the winters, he spent time snowboarding. The family vacationed together in San Diego and at Florida destinations like Disney World and Sanibel Island. “We will always cherish the quality time Trevor spent with his special needs younger sister, Kendra,” his mother stated. “He had a love for the special needs people in his community.” [...]

Kind, big-hearted, hardworking, loyal friend, loving son.
 
Luke was a kind and warm person who made friends easily and strived to make everyone feel included. He played several sports and loved the community they provided. Throughout his life, he played soccer, dek hockey, football, basketball, baseball, and enjoyed skiing. Football was his favorite. He played both offensive and defensive lines. Luke played football through his first year of college, and when playing organized team sports ended, he played pickup basketball. He got his first all-terrain vehicle at 14 and spent countless hours riding with his friends on trails in their town. Throughout his childhood, Luke took trips to Kentucky to visit family. They bonded over sports, as all were avid fans of the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats. The love of these teams was something he and his mom shared together. 
[...]

Empathetic, sensitive, brave, loving, hilarious As a young child, Jake was sensitive and caring, an empath. Because of his natural ability to identify the feelings of others, he was often asked to be a “buddy” for new students in his elementary school class. Jake’s empathy continued during his time in recovery. He showed compassion for others who struggled with addiction and for families, friends, and coworkers; always ready to help, listen, or simply be present for others[...]

He lived everyday like it was his last. Shawn viewed every day as an opportunity for adventure. Whether it was yoga, hiking, or swimming, he was constantly on the move. His favorite vacation, he told his mother Debbie, was to Cedar Point because of the roller coasters. But adventure did not always mean adrenaline rushes and the thrilling outdoors. Loving people proudly and loudly required just as much bravery. He was never shy about showing his affection—whether it was to his beloved siblings Kaley, Molly, and Will, to his cousins, to his friends, or to complete strangers. His catchphrase was: “Hug therapy could change the world,” and he was determined to change it by any means necessary. When he got his first job, he was ecstatic about being paid—not to use the money on himself, but to share it with anyone who needed it. He often bought food or coffee for unhoused people, and always extended his hug therapy to them, too. [...]

Funny, authentic, smart, unpredictable, insightful Kristen was beautiful, funny, and skilled with words, but frequently doubted herself. The only time these insecurities faded into the background was when her loved ones needed help. Once, when an enormous dock spider slipped into her and her friend’s canoe, she put aside her own fears and smashed it with her oar. When another friend broke her collarbone in the woods without any way to call for help, Kristen guided her to safety. Even when she felt most unsure of herself, she still held her mother Rosie’s hands, comforting her, while they chatted on the couch. Her older brother, Tyler, was one of the few who understood Kristen’s bravery to be a labor of love. [...]

Charming, fearless, loving, loyal, driven, conflicted Jack was funny, smart, handsome, loving and affectionate. From a young age, his peers, teachers, and his parents’ friends appreciate his sophisticated sense of humor and charisma. A great athlete, Jack’s childhood was spent playing team sports—basketball and football, but especially soccer. He was a great team player, a natural leader, and made lifelong friendships with his teammates. [...]

Gifted, hilarious, sensitive, loyal Kristy was a brilliant force. Growing up, she loved to be around her friends. You could identify her in a crowd by her huge, infectious laugh. She could turn any event into a magical party. From the time she was old enough to hold a pencil, she drew. She was a master artist. She once drew Disney characters in elementary school and her teacher questioned whether she had traced them. Her dad and mom clarified that the drawings were authentic, and indeed Kristy was the artist! She was musically talented and played piano, guitar, and clarinet by ear. Her poetry and writing were worthy of publication at a young age. She also had anxiety as a child and throughout her adult life.[...]

Loving, kindness, happiness, loss, death… “Memories of Jessie are all I have left,” her mother, Christine, said. “She made me a grandmother two times, which was one of many things she gave to me.” Jessie’s daughter Mia is now twenty, and her son Jamisen, is sixteen. Jamisen’s dad, Adam, who is in recovery, was wonderful to Jessie. “He loved her with all his heart,” her mom stated. [...]

Nobody loved more or harder than he did. When Scott walked into his parent’s house, he always announced himself with a loud, joyful, “Mama!” He was someone that happiness surrounded, brought on by his big smile and warm personality. He was the youngest of his family, and was loved deeply not only by his parents and siblings, Brian, and Jaclyn, but also by his extended family, his wife Maria’s family, and his small army of friends. In high school, he became the captain of the football, hockey, and baseball teams at the same time–not because he was a great player. It was because he was admired by teammates and coaches for his commitment. His peers respected him and trusted him to lead. [...]

Loving, kind, funny, handsome, perfect! What is a Renaissance Person in the midst of an era where there is a trend to be an expert in one field to the exclusion of others? Michael seemed to fit the proud moniker of a Renaissance man. He loved reading and poetry. He was a consummate athlete in many arenas, especially hockey. [...]

Caring, loving, bright, intelligent, very family oriented Amanda Panda. The nickname evokes feelings of cuddly cute sweetness. She was that and so much more! Amanda showed her love and compassion for family, friends, animals, and nature in many ways. She was light-hearted and caring; always dedicated to her family. The youngest of a set of identical twins, her youth, and laughter was infectious.[...]

Charming, empathetic, kind, loving, and hurting A charmer, Ryan loved to make people laugh. Always well dressed with obsessively clean sneakers, family was everything to Ryan. He was the champion of his siblings, his twin brother, Timothy and two younger sisters, Cassandra, and Caitlyn. Raised by a single mom, he was 100% a mama’s boy. An avid fisherman, he loved the annual family camping trips to New Hampshire. He enjoyed the outdoors, playing with his son and nephews. At the time he passed, he was a plumber, often offering his services free to anyone in need. As with any job he did, he generously shared his knowledge with others.[...]

Impulsive, funny, kind, deep thinker, and warm Jimmy loved life. His personality filled up a room with light and energy. He was extremely social, willing to listen, empathize, and help out in any way he could. He loved music and lyrics, sports, animals, family, and making people laugh. Jimmy was also a kind, kind man, one who felt what you were going through and who was much more than his disease.[...]

Empathetic, compassionate, outgoing, fearless, mother Alyse was the force of life in her family. Outgoing, charming and so LOUD; anyone in the family would agree this is not an exaggeration. You knew when she arrived because you could hear her voice and her laugh from three rooms away. Under the tough and stubborn veneer, she had the softest, biggest heart.[...]

Gentle, sensitive, introspective, inquisitive Geoffrey was happiest while exploring the outdoors. As a youngster, he immersed himself in the natural world, especially on family vacations to U.S. National Parks, where he rode horses, hiked and kayaked. Closer to home, Geoffrey gardened with his father as a young boy. Geoff’s intellectual curiosity led him to embrace a strong interest in the Civil and Revolutionary wars, visiting significant battle sites such as Gettysburg and Fort Sumter. He was also an avid music fan and listened to rap while cooking healthy meals and completing his workout routine as a teen.[...]