Sanchez, her older sister and her mom moved to Staten Island around 2004 after spending time in Manhattan, Florida and Brooklyn. Shortly following her death, Kathleen’s parents reached out to the Advance hoping to share diaries she kept during her time at the Florida rehab program. Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're watching this month, including Bliss, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, and "It's a Sin.". According to a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 7.9 million people in the U.S. experience both a mental disorder and substance use disorder simultaneously. It’s a common thread among people in recovery from drug addiction, and those who have lost loved ones to what has come to be understood as a disease. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta). The Marders said Abi was back from a treatment center for just about a week before she fatally overdosed from opioids. The needle’s on the bed and she’s sitting on the bed, head slumped down and she starts turning blue.”. ... Barry Landes (2 episodes, 2006) Terrell Tilford. He was quickly learning body work and paint preparation. We will always miss her In every way. Johnathan graduated from Susan Wagner High School, and had a passion for sports. Johnathan Crupi’s parents, Candace and Barry, are two people who undoubtedly took that mantle after their son died in 2014 at the age of 21. Elizabeth Acevedo at her New Dorp home on March 27, 2019. His mother Susan Drezek said her son was an old soul who enjoyed helping people. “I think about Julissa sitting here ten years from now and they’re gonna put it on TV -- the opioid epidemic -- and she’ll say ‘I lost my mom in that.’ That breaks my heart,” Aliotta said. On Saturday, February 6th, 2021, Brenda Worthing-Jones, wife, mother, friend, teacher and inspiration to everyone who met her passed away, surrounded by family, at the age of 76. One of his most successful recovery attempts was a time he went to a rehabilitation program in Florida that also focused on his mental health needs. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. She attended a specialized junior high school, and then went on to Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan. “I would like to know if my son is happy where he is,” Pantano said. Like Pantano, Spangler said she experienced isolation after her son died. (Courtesy: Spangler family). She only found out shortly before he died that he was dealing with a substance abuse issue. “A lot of kids would gravitate toward her. Candace Crupi said when Johnathan was young he wanted to be everything from a cop to a priest. It’s the system allowing a dealer to walk on a one year or a two or a three year prison term,” he said. Justine Aliotta died of an overdose on Aug. 30, 2017. Age 87. Kunz was the guest of Rep. Max Rose at the 2019 State of the Union. Interment Memorial Park. He had told his mother and his sobriety sponsor that he planned to get on track. “When I first met Michele, I was struck by the incredible strength and courage she and her family showed by turning the tragic loss of their son into a campaign to raise awareness about the drug epidemic in our community,” Rose said. (Courtesy: Crupi family). “We all had the same stories.”, Robert Kunz, of Rossville, died in a hit-and-run that occurred after a drug deal gone wrong on July 20, 2015 (Courtesy: Kunz Family). Friday, July 18, 2008 ON wnitley. 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Now that bedroom is Julissa’s playroom. "either you turn to God or you turn away from God, and that’s it. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta) After Abi’s death, the Marders found … (Courtesy: Masinski family)Third-Party-Submitted. He came back and stayed clean for more than two years. Union College Magazine Fall 2020. Just a little over six months after Nicolette’s death, Ciavola hasn’t yet found a way to cope, she said. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta), (DECADE OF DEATH: This is one in a series on the borough’s opioid crisis. “She was gone all night, so there was no resuscitating her no matter what we did," he said. He didn’t say ‘oh I’m gonna be an addict,’” she said. Barry Marder is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer. Private arrangements by Llloyd Mandel Levayah Funerals. “They said he always made them feel better. “We’re all in therapy and stuff like that, but it’s just -- things just have changed and they’ll never be the same.”, KATHLEEN MASINSKI: THE LOSS DOESN’T GET EASIER, Kathleen Masinski, of Great Kills, died of an overdose on Oct. 17, 2014. Explore Life Stories, Offer Condolences & Send Flowers. Ted Cofell (2 episodes, 2002) Avery and Elaine Marder at their Annadale home on March 16, 2019. Sister of the late Elizabeth Rifkin and Yetta Boehm. Before, AJ had aspirations of joining the military. It took six days and he’s gone,” Paoluccio said. Acevedo said after her daughter died, she felt a mix of emotions. More than half of those people are men. He was particularly close with his sister, and when his mom needed multiple surgeries for leg problems, he would help take care of her when he came home from school. Her daughter Nicolette died of an overdose on Sept. 16, 2018. Justine eventually got clean with the help of methadone, but Joanne said some of the addiction stigma stuck with her. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). He was 20 years old. The summer before her death, Sanchez went on a one-month road trip with her aunt and grandfather to California. Take a look back at the talented actors and actresses who took home a Golden Globe for Best Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama since the category was created in 1951. “They came in through the front door with...presents and everything," he said. Acevedo said it turned out to be a great experience for her daughter, and that she couldn’t wait to get back. 1974 CLASS CORREPSONDENT Cathy Stuckey Johnson San Mateo, Calif. caj1080@hotmail.com. “You talk to any of my neighbors -- he’d hold the door for them, he’d help them take their packages in, he’d shovel ... he’d give you the shirt off his back. Lisa Ciavola is one of those parents. Often speaking with local politicians, like District Attorney Michael McMahon and State Sen. Andrew Lanza, the Crupis want to ensure the people making decisions don’t forget the victims of the opioid epidemic. After he died, Pantano learned the heroin James took was laced with fentanyl -- a synthetic opioid that has contributed to an increase in opioid-related deaths. Wife of the late William Randell and the late Jack Berg. Bobby Messina, the driver of the car that killed Bobby Kunz, was convicted and sent to prison on a manslaughter charge in April 2017. Our kids were victims of a bad system.”, MICHAEL SAPIO: STRUGGLED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, Michael Sapio, of Bay Terrace, died Sept. 30, 2017 of an overdose. They had aspirations for greater things that they never had the chance to achieve. They work to help others deal with their substance abuse issues. Pantano said her younger son is saving up to buy a house, and move away from Staten Island. Growing up he enjoyed playing sports, using a telescope his parents bought him, and was always kind to his neighbors, his mother, Michele Minogue Spangler said. People search engine and free white pages finds phone, address, email, and photos.