Joey's Story - An Inspiring Young Athlete
His Spirit Will Live On!
Joey was a delightful and brilliant young boy, remarkable in every way. He was a loving brother to three brothers and a sister.
Joey had an infectious love for life and was always playing pranks on his family. He was funny and caring and spontaneously made friends everywhere he went. Joey was an exceptional athlete and had a particular fondness for soccer. He primarily played as a goalie but also served as an alternate striker and was an excellent team player.
In memory of Joey, we have established a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to children who possess passion and talent for sports but cannot afford to pursue it. Joey loved animals, birds, and butterflies and treasured catching lightning bugs at night. Don't all boys? Because of this, we are donating to animal rescues to honor his passion for animals.
Sadly, Joey tragically drowned in a pond while fishing alone. Our safety program is underway. The goal is to create awareness among children of all ages about the importance of safety.
October 13, 2013 - June 19, 2023
Joey's maternal grandfather crafted and engraved a beautiful bench in memory of him, which bears the name "Joey's Buddy Bench" to include his late uncle Buddy. On September 9, 2023, the family and community held a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony to dedicate the bench. The bench now resides at Simmons Elementary in Horsham, PA, where Joey and his older siblings attended school. Joey was an avid reader, so we placed the bench in the reading garden at the front of the school. It was a touching and moving experience to witness the community coming together to remember and celebrate Joey's life.
For more photos and videos of the dedication, please visit the "Special Events" tab.
Portrait by: Jonny Castro Art
Jonny donates his time creating portraits for First Responders and others. A friend of Joey's mom, Lisa, asked Jonny if he would create Joey's painting. Jonny generously agreed. We are so very grateful!
Joey's maternal grandparents gave Joey his keyboard on his 9th birthday. He was beyond happy, so much so, he cried!
Our lives have forever changed since we lost Joey. His radiant smile, contagious laughter, mesmerizing eyes, and gregarious personality have left a void in our hearts. Although he was only with us for nine years, he left a lasting impact on those who knew him. Joey's memories are precious, and we will cherish them forever. We can keep his spirit and legacy alive through his nonprofit organization, Joey's Gifts, which aspires to help underprivileged children and animals in need. We believe that every child and animal deserves a chance to flourish. With your support, we can continue to honor Joey's spirit and make a difference in their lives. We appreciate your compassionate assistance in celebrating our beloved Joey.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
- unknown