Zachary Dennis Gys

ZacGys
Submitted by: Louise
Born: 1989
Died: 2013
My Tribute: My beloved son, Zachary died on July 19, 2013 from a methadone overdose. He was trying to get his life in order and had experienced 60 days of recovery prior to his passing. He was a wonderful child with a great sense of humor and a kind word for everyone. A gifted athlete, with a passion for hockey, he hurt his ankle in a high school game and a friend gave him a Percocet to ease the pain. He was immediately hooked. He graduated from Percocet to Oxy to Heroin. He tried many times to fight his addiction but more often than not would succumb to the monster within. Although I know that addiction is a terminal disease, I truly thought he would overcome it….he was such fierce and competitive warrior. I can still hear his voice though it’s only a whisper now. This pain in my heart and soul will never go away. I miss him each and every day. I will continue to fight for those who can’t and hope that I live to see the day when addiction is treated as a disease and not a moral failure. Rest in peace, my sweet prince.

Adam Chamberlin Parker

Adam-Chamberlin-Parker
Submitted by: Kathy Parker
Born: 1991
Died: 2013
My Tribute: Adam Chamberlin Parker
June 4, 1991 – July 1, 2013

Adam was an inspiration to many, his mom included.  He was very loving, and had a soft spot in his heart for helping the elderly and enjoyed being in the moment spending time with children.  He had this BIG grin of a smile that just lit up the room when he walked in, a great sense of humor and always made others laugh, and just feel better once they were with him.  He had this very agile, strategic ability that came natural to him, both in athletic sports and in mental challenges like chess or poker.  He will always be remembered for his empathy for the underdog, always took care for the ones left behind.  Adam will be greatly missed by his family and large circle of close friends, and so many lives that he touched with his inspiration…yet will never be forgotten.

A sweet friend of mine told me that she sees Adam playing a much bigger part in the scheme of things here in this physical plane, than anything he could have done if he would have lived.  I have always been very spiritual, but since Adam’s passing I see things spiritually in such a different perspective and strongly feel the ‘push’ or need to explore much deeper into the after-life.  I also feel that through my exploration, I will find a much deeper, richer relationship with my son than ever before, or would have experienced if he was still here with me.  For this realization, I feel blessed.

“Adam, my Love, your beautiful smile and warm hugs will forever be felt by me.  Your immense kindness and compassion for others truly inspires me.  We had a very special closeness and bond between us, that I will never forget.  Your energy and spirit will always be present, and fond memories of you will forever be spoken.  I will always feel your heart close to mine….I love you so so much, Honey!” ~mom

Denny M. Bristow

image
Submitted by: Sherri Bristow Boster
Born: 1986
Died: 2013
My Tribute: Denny fought his addiction hard which started with oxytocin and ended with heroin. Denny was greatly loved and is missed by many. Gone to young.

David “DJ” Griffiths

David-DJ-Griffiths-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1978
Died: 2011
My Tribute: David “DJ” Griffiths
Born: November 28, 1978
Died: February 17, 2011
Dj was my friend and father of our 7 year old son. He had a kind heart, and loved his family very much. He got hurt at work and was given Oxycontin. He became addicted, got clean, and relapsed 6 months later, never to wake the next morning. He is missed greatly everyday and words cannot express the loss we have suffered because of addiction.

Wentzel Van Der Berg

Wentzel-van-der-Berg-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1984
Died: 2012
My Tribute: Wentzel Van Der Berg
February 23, 1984 – February 25, 2012
Age 29

Hey you guys don’t feel guilty, It was just my time to go. I can see you’re all feeling sad, I can see the tears still flow. My life’s journey ended early, … The path I chose was short. You all tried your best to change it, But in the end it was for me to sort.I know I caused you sadness, I know caused you pain, But I was captured by these demons, They wouldn’t set me free again. They took away my freedom, They took away my choice, And when they got their hooks in, You could hear it in my voice. There were times I tried to fight them, There was a time I nearly won, But they came back and overpowered me, I had nowhere left to run. I haven’t really left you guys, I am closer than you know, I will be the whisper in the wind, I will be everywhere you go. one day you will all forgive me one day you will understand and when your time on earth is done I will be waiting to take your hand.
Author; Jacqueline Grieve

Mark Jeremy Susong

Mark-Jeremy-Susong-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1990
Died: 2012
My Tribute: Mark Jeremy Susong
6/5/90 – 2/10/12
By his own admission, our son Mark didn’t get hooked on drugs because of some trauma in his life; he met one wrong person, tried it, and was hooked. When he died, he’d been clean 18 months, had a job, car, new girlfriend, and was 5 weeks away from completing a program that would have put an end to his legal issues. Best explanation: An “overconfident overdose,” (addict is doing well/believes he can safely control his use). Mark was kind, sensitive and quick to say, “I love you.” We’re forever changed; there will always be a hole in our family. Mark Jeremy Susong

Sarah Sonneborn

Sarah-Sonneborn-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1989
Died: 2012
My Tribute: Sarah Sonneborn
April 18, 1989 – January 30, 2012
Age 22

My daughter Sarah passed on January 30.2012 from Oxiintoxication. Sarah fought her addiction for 4 years. 5 rehabs later she is gone If there is one thing I learned from all those meetings is once an addict always an addict. A recovering addict is just that if they follow their program. Once piece of advise given to Sarah from all of her sponsors was do not go back to your old habits. Start a new life in a new location. If you go back you will fight the old habits that brought you here. I firmly believe that. Unfortunately she went back and did not make it another year.

Michael Francis Pelone

Michael-Francis-Pelone-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1987
Died: 2010
My Tribute: Michael Francis Pelone
January 23, 1987 – August 20, 2010
Age 23

Michael fought hard against the disease of addiction that started with Oxycontin and moved on to Heroin. It was a five year battle- he was doing well, had a job, living in a sober living house and was happy. He relapsed and overdosed. I had the joy of seeing him the day before he died and the last thing he said to me was, “I love you, Mom.” I’m really grateful for that! While I miss him every day, I’m glad that he doesn’t have to face the shame, guilt and horror of this disease every day. I love you, Michael…but you already knew that.

John M. Perkins Jr.

John-M_-Perkins-Jr_-150x150
Submitted by: Liz Perkins
Born: 1981
Died: 2011
My Tribute: John M. Perkins Jr.
April 16, 1981 – May 5, 2011
Age 30

Our son, John M. Perkins Jr., lost his life to a heroin overdose on 5-5-11. John had turned 30 years old two weeks before on 4-16-11. He was our only son, our first child. He grew up as a typical boy. Always pushing the envelope on either his bicycle, dirt bike, or snow board. He lit up a room and made friends with everyone. He felt a loyalty to old friends, and he made us cry but he also made us laugh. We loved him dearly and will miss him every second of the rest of our lives. Dad, Mom and Sis

Anthony Harting

Anthony-Harting-150x150
Submitted by: GC
Born: 1981
Died: 2012
My Tribute: Anthony Harting
December 1981 to June 2012
This picture says so much about you. Anthony loved to joke, both his girls adore him, everyone who knew him saw the love he had for his girls….and they for him. He’s my only son and is missed beyond words. He fought several years with addiction and struggled to win the battle that finally took his life. A very liked and loved young man. A brief bio for a brief life….with neverending love for my son. Ma.