Submitted by: dad
Born: 1986
Died: 2014
My Tribute: My son Michael Robert born on June 27, 1986 and died on August 19, 2014 suffered a dual diagnosis. He suffered from depression and he took drugs.
To look at him one would never think of him as a so-called “druggie.”
He was tall, thin, handsome, smart and athletic, and academic all-American!
The girls flocked to him always! He had that winning smile and cleverness they loved.

He was my pride and joy in this world! He reminded me so much of me!
I had such high hopes for him.
He had a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from Hofstra. He was accepted to the Ph.D. program there!
In my mind, he was on his way to launching himself into his chosen field. So I ask: what happened?

I am at a loss. I am all broken into a million pieces now. I want him here now.

Come back kid! Oh for those days out in Montauk again!
.
It was me you and your brother Brian.
We cooked on the grill outside Montauk Manor as it overlooked the Atlantic Ocean.

We played catch on the front lawn. We played shuffleboard!
We went to the beaches there! We swam in the pool!

We ate in town. We laughed

Submitted by: Sherry Jimenez (mother)
Born: 1990
Died: 2015
My Tribute: My son Richard’s smile could light up any room. Everyone who knew him said what a great smile and he could always make you laugh. Richard loved sports, movies, his friends and family. He always wanted to be where the fun was. Those are the memories I want to remember of my son most. I miss him terribly and wonder how am I ever going to get through each minute, hour and day. Drug addiction changed who he was. My son became angry, depressed and he must have felt alone at times. Even though he was surrounded by people who loved him dearly. Drug addiction took over his life where at times that’s all that mattered to him. Each day we live without him is incredibly painful and the all the what ifs…I always hoped and prayed Richard would some day have sobriety, be happy and love life again. In order to get up each day I have to believe Richard is with God and is happy now. That he’s not fighting this awful disease and is no longer suffering from the chasI the high. God and other mothers only know how deep the sorrow goes and the thoughts of how life will never be the same. The only thing I’m sure of any more is that I can’t let my son die in vain. I know I must do something in his memory to help and educate others that have been, or will be affected by this disease. I miss my son and love him so much. All the questions I’ll never get the answers too, but I know my son would want me to do whatever it takes so that no one else has to suffer the way he did and no other family has to ever feel the pain that we feel. Rest my son until we’re together again.

Submitted by: Amanda Johnson
Born: 1987
Died: 2015
My Tribute: On Jan 6th, 2015 my nephew passed away from a heroin overdose. My heart aches for his suffering in this life. He had recently moved home to get well and start over. I wish so much he hadn’t relapsed. I miss him. He was smart. Brave. Handsome. And had a sensitive heart. Andrew, you are missed. I wish you nothing but peace. I love you. Aunt Mandy

Submitted by: Terri Hayes (mom)
Born: 1983
Died: 2013
My Tribute: To my loving beautiful son. I am so sorry you are not here with us. We miss you so very much (mom, dad, sister and aunts etc.); life is so empty without you. I pray you are at peace and happy now and I look forward to the hope of seeing you again one day.