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.
Q was the middle of 5 boys in the family. His oldest brother Brandon was his “ride or die,” and in recovery from substance use disorder; they loved to fish together. Q was a master roofer and worked with his brother Nicholas, who runs the family roofing company. Younger brothers Lucas and Ben all loved working together and spending time with their brother. Q’s first love, Misty, was always there for him; they met as teenagers, had a special bond and she loved Q unconditionally.
Q’s mother, Kathy, said addiction affects everyone in the family. When Q was in active addiction, he did things against his usual nature, like lying and stealing, but “was never disrespectful to me.” Kathy has done a great deal of research on substance use disorder and said, “with knowledge comes power.” ‘In order to stop the stigma around substance use disorder, we need to educate people.’
Q had been living in a sober home for about 10 months when he overdosed in a hotel room a couple of miles away. His mom said, “My life and that of my family have forever changed. It devastated us when Q died. We will never recover. It tinges every good thing that happens in our family with sadness, knowing that Q isn’t with us to share it. “I miss him more every day.’
Q’s mother, Kathy Hile, provided the information for this narrative.
March 27, 1987-June 15-2019
Age 32-Lived with the disease of addiction 14 years
