Murray

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Submitted by: mom
Born: 1979
Died: 2016
My Tribute: Murray — the *sun* (son) of my life– my joy and reason for feeling loved all those years…!!! But something happened in his teens – like his 51 year old aunt (fathers side), grandfather and great aunt (also on fathers side) all suffered from an incurable addictive gene that took all their lives. But he was and will always be my baby boy and Murray, Linda, me, and your cousins Jon and Steven and all the relatives that still don’t understand what I/we are going through and the friends that still cared about you but didn’t know how to help – we miss you! The sensitive intelligent loving person you will always be. I don’t know why God makes us like this – I thought he made all His creations perfect… or loved us enough not to make us, and especially YOU suffer like that,alone, and for so long. You barely made it to 37— 20 years or more of fighting with a demon that won in the end.
I love you son. I love you- I still can’t deal with it. How can I learn to deal with it… Why you had to push me away… but now you are beside me in my room, as when you were little and no one but you and me mattered…
Love forever, my treasured beautiful son. I love you Murray.

Aj & Robin

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Submitted by: Kayla
Born: 1988
Died: 2014
My Tribute:

Debra Richardson

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Submitted by: Kristen Richardson
Born: 1959
Died: 2015
My Tribute: My awesome mom and grandmother to my boys. She just couldn’t overcome her addiction or demons! Even though she was clean my entire childhood! She was an awesome single mom! Worked so hard to make sure I was a spoiled brat then made sure my kids were constantly spoiled right up to the day she passed! She was our rock and our only remaining family! I pray she is at peace and with us. I love and miss you so much mom!

Matthew Cullen

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Submitted by: Mother
Born: 1989
Died: 2015
My Tribute: March 20, 2015 will be one year since my baby boy 25 years old died from a herion overdose. I miss you so much but I will see you again in heaven. I know now you are with your Father in heaven and no more anxiety, only peace.
He had been off drugs for over a year and had a weak moment. He had no idea that this horrible drug would take his life.
After being off this drug it is easier to overdose but addicts do not know this. We need to make young people more aware of these dangers.

Evan Malley

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Submitted by: Tina Peterson
Born: 1995
Died: 2016
My Tribute: Words can not say how much I miss you, you will always be the space next to me that only I can see. mom, love forever

Timothy Porray

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Submitted by: Judy Ball/mom
Born: 1980
Died: 2015
My Tribute: It has been almost a year since my baby boy left this earth. Just before his 35th birthday. His struggles with addiction began with pain meds from three back surgeries before he was 21. There was never a time when he wasn’t in pain, but over time he learned to manage it.

Tim was the “favorite fun uncle,” the guy with a smile and laugh that lit up the room, a dedicated son and brother, and so much more. After years in and out of jail and rehabs, ups and downs, he finally hit rock bottom and got serious about sobriety. And he was sober for 4 years. He remarried and was madly in love with his beautiful wife and was an amazing dad to her two children. He started going back to school and he and his wife opened a sober living home in Salt Lake City. It was a dream that took them almost two years to achieve, but they did it! They lived on the premises and their guys were like family. They ate meals together and had group therapy, helped them find jobs, taught them how to iron so they would look nice for interviews, etc. Tim was the “fixer” for everyone and refused to let anyone down or leave anyone alone and struggling. It was exhausting and stressful, but rewarding.

And then, one night when his wife was staying at the hospital with her son, something caused Tim to snap. We don’t know what it was and never will, but it took one—just one—hit of heroin. A deadly dose for someone who had been clean for so long. And he was gone. I will never forget getting that call on a Saturday morning here in California where we moved less than two years ago. I am so grateful to have found the NPR piece about this group. The hole in my heart will never completely heal and I miss him every single day, but there is also a part of me that experienced a sense of relief somehow…relief that he is free from all the pain and the sometimes minute by minute struggle to stay sober. He fought long and hard and I was so proud of him for being the man I always knew he could be. The person who sold him that lethal dose (and knew it would be…) is going to jail for two years and then 3 of probation. I hope he learns something. But I choose to focus on the legacy Tim left and the huge impact he had on so many people’s lives. His laughter rings in my ears and his smile is in front of me whenever I close my eyes and think of him.

I love you, Timmy. Forever and always, my baby you’ll be.

Justin Solak

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Submitted by: Vera Bullock
Born: 1990
Died: 2016
My Tribute: Justin was a gentle giant who was one of the kindest and most loving people many knew. This was evidenced at his funeral when people who had not seen him for over 7 years flew to NY for the funeral from Montreal. Justin had a bi-polar disorder that wasn’t diagnosed until later in life. He had a difficult middle school experience as his parents divorced and his bi-polar was not being treated. Justin started using marijuana when 17 in order to find relief from the struggles of bi-polar. He was in and out of rehabs for 7 years from age 18 in. He would maintain periods of sobriety but finally on February 13th his earthly struggles ended when unfortunately he died of a heroin overdose. Justin will be missed and especially by his 10 year old brother, college age sister, his grandparents and parents.

Bryan Kelly Steele

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Submitted by: Maria Steele
Born: 1992
Died: 2012
My Tribute: My dear sweet Bryan. There is not a moment that goes by that I do not think of you and long for the day to see your face again and to hold you. My world will never be the same. The piercing pain in my heart never ceases, but I hold steadfast in the hope of seeing you again in heaven. I miss you dearly my son. My love for you knows no bounds.

Kimberly Anne Blaser

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Submitted by: Jill Stoehr
Born: 1978
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Kimberly was my oldest daughter. She was a beautiful blue eyed blonde who was smart, funny, had so much personality, and had so much to offer the world. She could have done so much with her life. Addiction took all of that away from her and left her two daughters without their mother. The pain never goes away and at this point it is not getting any better either. I miss her so much and still wait to hear her voice. People keep telling me that she is in a better place now and I believe that, but it does not take away the pain of losing your child. The only thing that keeps me going is that I have her two daughters. They are the joy of my life and I see their mother in both of them. I love my daughter and only wish that she is happy and free from her pain of addiction.

Anthony Colli aka “Ant”

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Submitted by: Karen Colli
Born: 1992
Died: 2015
My Tribute: My precious son Anthony aka Ant, an amazing soul, brilliant, creative. So many wonderful memories of Anthony. He was one of a kind, Reached out the the homeless, understood their brokenness. Struggled with severe anxiety and depression…. just had a heart for those who struggled, who suffered. He left his print on everyone he came in contact with. Loved Russian Literature, wanted to be a writer, a chef…. His English Literature teacher said to me “there will never be another person on earth like Anthony”. His addiction didn’t define him… His life and legacy does. I miss you every day Ant. Can’t wait to see you again. Miss your smile, your charm and your gentle soul… I love you forever.