My thoughts and prayers will always be with you and Joey will never be forgotten. Although I unfortunately didn't get a chance to know the grown up Joey I clearly remember the smart adorable little boy Joey. It is a tragedy and I can only hope that others will learn from this loss and families will be saved.
Anne
Thinking of your angel / Norma Bobst (Christopher Schupp's Mom )
Memories from Friends / Mom
I asked Joey's friends to send me some of their memories. These were my best Christmas gifts this year
I got one for you Mrs. T. Joe and I were standing in the doorway of Mr. Mattes' class. When Joey had a good idea to pull my pants down. Well it just so happened that it was around the time my mom refused to do my laundry any more. So I had no under gutchies on. So after every one saw my goods, I pulled up and tackled Joey. Mr. Mattes and Mr. Finch started to yell at us, then just at Joe, so I started to yell at them for yelling at Joe. Needless to say they told us both to go home and cool off. But made us promise to not leave together. We both got in my car and went back to your house. Did what we normally did.
from SRA Jeffrey Lucente (Bird) sent from Iraq
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Oh wow, memories of Joe. One thing I always think of when it comes to Joe, is what a wonderful, loving person he was. Joe loved me more than I think any person ever has or possibly will. Joe is one person I will always be proud to say he is part of my life. He taught that it was pointless to be selfish and to love the people in your life and I am thankful for that every day of my life.
On a lighter note I'll never ever forget the night I broke my foot at the bar and threw up on Joe from being in so much pain and he carried me to the car and I kept telling him to put me down cause I was going to throw up on him and he wouldn't put me down.Then it happened. I puked all over him. I think what made the story the best was when you told me he just put those nasty clothes in the hamper when he got home that night. EWWW!
Once again Joe was absolutely fabulous person. I am extremely lucky to have had him when I did. I love him very much and miss him everyday of my life. His love meant/means so much to me. Have a great holiday Leslie. I love and miss you!
from Jessi Price
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First, and foremost, you have given the world a gift: You stand, strong and committed to all of us who have the blessed opportunity to know you, and; as the mother who brought Joe to us in this world. You have not asked us for a gift by any means in comparison to all that you have done. And I am happy to share with you what that means to me. I apologize that my vocabulary and articulation fall short when it comes to expressing every one of the thousands of moments you and Joe have touched me throughout my life. I will, however, try to do my best.
Childhood, for me, is filled with fond memories of Joe.
When I think of Joe, there is 1 memory, in particular, that I always think of as the epitome of Joe. Blue satin tuxedo and tap shoes, he was the Wyland Elemtary talent show. That year, I danced a jazz dance in black tights and a white T-shirt to the song "I can do that" from A Chorus Line. I had been in California for the week before, so I missed any try-outs or practices. I got to school the day of the talent show, and I had not seen anyone elses act. I remember sitting on my carpet square, in the front row, with all of the other acts, and watching Joe walk up to the center of the stage. He owned the stage. I remember thinking we were a lot alike, he was cooler, but it was way cool that we were friends. Joe always tapped to his own song, and throughout the years he shined- He may not have worn his blue tuxedo or danced solos on stage- but life was Joe's stage- he captivated his audience and he carried himself with a humble strength that was just as impressive as that satin blue tuxedo.
I remember in 3rd grade, Emily Davis and I argued over who was going to get to be Joe's square dance partner. Emily loved Joe, and he was sweet to her when being sweet to girls was not the cool thing to do. In retrospect, I think that it wasn't that Joe was being "sweet" (in the sense of "charmig") to Emily. Joe, at the early stages of crushes in 3rd grade, understood the importance of respecting women, girls, and feelings. In 5th grade, Lindsay T-C had to be Joe's jitter-bug partner, and they had the feature dance piece with 4 other couples. Joe's ability to seamlessly be sensitive and masculine, I think, is what made me like him so much. I think it's what a lot of people liked in Joe.
Joe was the leader of the pack- Nick, Lee, Brian Craig, Shawn- the hockey crew. I remember going to Blade Runners and Ice Connection with the boys for stick time... We'd all pack into the back of my mom's old, gold, volvo station wagon. I remember sitting backwards in the back of the volvo with the boys. Joe was always really nice to me, and he included me when I didn't really feel like I fit in with the other girls of our grade. Joe included my little brother in our hockey days, and I know that my brother Joe looked up to your Joe as the light in his eyes.
I love you and Joe. I think of you and him a lot, and my memories of him primarily are of our days in Wyland. I don't really know how we drifted apart in middle school, but I will write you more memories as I recall them. My love for you both, the role you played in my childhood, did not remain in Wyland- it thrives in the present.
from Kayte Hughes
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I have sort of a random memory of Joey, but nonetheless, it has stuck with me over the years.
Back in the 6th grade in Mr. Varley's class, I sat behind Joey (as I generally did with the alphabet!) and he was wearing this t-shirt with Beatles lyrics on it
You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one
Since then, every time I hear the song, I think of Joey. An especially powerful performance took place at the 08 American Idol concert where runner-up David Archuleta accompanied himself on the piano singing it, and the performance was absolutely incredible, and I thought what better way to honor Joey with this song.
from Katie Turiak
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I remember the first time I was in Joes room and we were just hanging out and I saw the "Dreamer" poster on the wall. I asked him where he got it from and was amazed when he told me he had made it, I was genuinly impressed. I asked if he had done anything else. He pulled out some of his poetry and I read it, it was so good, I really didn't think he wrote it haha. I have never been artisticly inclined like that and remember being so moved by some of the stuff he wrote. He had some things written down that were hard to put into words. I had never had any friends who were able to express themselves in that way.
from Dan Spitznagel
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Dear Mrs. Taylor, I have been thinking about what to write to you about Joey since I recieved your email a few weeks ago. I have so many fond memories of him and I wasn't sure which ones really stuck out in my mind. I remember when Joe and I first became friends in the 8th grade. Shawn Miller would not leave me alone and who knew I would eventually end up dating him for 2 years or so. Joe and Shawn were such great friends and I remember when we first starting hanging out over at the Miller's. From going up to Ebinezer's in Duncan to hockey games down at the Ice Connection, Joe and I became pretty close in a such a short period of time. I always remember how he would come to all my soccer games throughout high school and always would cheer me on. It was so great to look up in the stands and he would yell " Hey Jilly!!!". I always considered him my second big brother. When my parents were getting divorced, Joe would call me every night before I went to bed and we would talk about nonsense as if we weren't at school together all day. He would play me the guitar over the phone and I used to have to guess the song. It was such a great time. I really don't think I would have made it through my parents horrible divorce without the support of him and for that, I'm forever grateful. In high school, he would be wandering the halls and would always find my class and wave at me. I always tried to get the pass to go out and meet him. One of my favorite things was when we would see each other for the first time each day. We always would give each other a huge hug and he was always so good at that. I remember for his 16th birthday the boys had a hockey game and we decided to throw Joe a small bday party. Annie and I made this birthday cake with a guitar on it. Needless to say, it was probably the most hideous cake I have ever seen but Joe thought it was awesome. We all went to Felicia's house to celebrate and I think we ended up back at your house for movies. It was such a fun night and I remember that cake. He loved it and I don't even think I ate it, hahahaha. Another fond memory I have with Joe was when you guys first got your pool. Joe was so excited and was begging me to come swim. I remember the water temp was seriously in the 50s and I was dreading going in it. I brought Annie over with me and I remember her ripping her clothes off and just jumping in. Mr. Taylor, Joe, and I were on the grass and we just about died laughing. It was freezing and crazy Annie just jumped in like a mad woman. I don't know if I ever saw Joe laugh so hard. My mom was always so fond of Joe. I remember one time Joe and I went to the clubhouse for lunch and he invited my mom. She was pretty busy and wasn't going to be able to meet us. When we got there I guess Joe had told the waiter to get a to- go order for my mom. He ended up bringing her salad to my house and she was so touched. He always was so giving and my mother just adored him. She still brings him up to this day and is still in shock of his passing. Sometimes I find it hard to believe the series of events that have occurred since graduation. Between the times of excitement and accomplishment, I have felt emptiness and sadness that never seems to ease. The loss of Joe and now Annie has brought more perspective in my life than ever before. There isn't one day that goes by where I don't think of both Joe and Annie. I get tears daily but I always get a smile too. Sometimes I try to figure it out in my head why this happened to both of them but I know that God had a much bigger plan for them both. I have never been more angry than the days when they passed but I have never been more grateful for two of the most beautiful people I have ever known. I feel blessed to have known them and to experience as much as I have with them. When Annie passed, I have to say that I was eased knowing that Joey was waiting for her at the gates. I know he was there and I'm sure they are together having a great time. It's so hard to understand or even try to understand all these events but I know in my heart that God's hands are behind all of it. Joe meant so much to me and I think about him each and every day. Thank you for having him and sharing him with me. You have no idea how he changed my life at a time when I thought no one could. I think of you and your family all the time and I pray for your hearts to feel some kind of relief. I hope all is going well and please keep in touch, I love you guys!
Always, Jillybean :)
from Jill Koberlein
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I have been thinking a lot about Joe recently and it is so nice to see his videos and pictures on the website. The first memory that I thought of was spending Wednesdays with Joe while we were at Wyland. We would always make nachos or some other after school snack and go up into my room and hang out. He was the kind of guy who you could feel comfortable with no matter what. He never judged anyone and you could always count on his genuine kindness. Joe wrote me a poem towards the end of our senior year that to this day, remains one of the nicest things I have ever been given. I dont remember the exact words but I just remember feeling his love with each and every word. I know that the holidays are a hard time to get through without the physical presence of those whom we love, but just know that your son was a blessing in the lives of so many people. He was a kind, gentle man who loved with his whole heart. So many people live years and years without reaching such heights in human capacity to love. Know that his love continues strong today in all of the lives he touched. His presence is still a blessing in my life today and I think of him often.
from Jamie Pelusi
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I really never got to speak to you about what happened because I was stuck in Michigan but I want you to know that my best memory of Joey was in 5th grade when we use to play football at recess ( I was not really big into football...go figure right) well Joey picked up on this and spent an entire day explaining to me the rules so that I would not get confused...I know it is something really small but it meant a lot to me and is something that I will never forget I just thought you should know that I have nothing but great memories with your son. Just keep in mind that people that really matter and really knew Joey will not judge and the people that do did not really know him for him...I know that is very easy to say but it is the truth. Have a great night and know that there are great fond memories that I carry of Joey...some of those hockey days are some of my favorites and always will be.
from Brant Bezila
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No words / Regina Smith (Preschool) I know that this is so ironic, I had to share it. My step brother Matt was friends with Colin Ferguson, and when he passed away...I was reading his guestbook. A girl had mentioned another one of Matt's friends and Joey being in heaven together. As soon as I read the name, my heart dropped. I know it is a common name...but I had to find out. I typed Joey Taylor into a google search and found this memorial site. I took a look at the photo album and knew right away it was him. He was my FIRST crush, in preschool. He was so nice to me, not like boys of that age usually are. He shared and laughed with me, and treated me like his friend from our first day. I remember him vividly even though I am now 23. My grandmother would tease me well into my teenage years every time I saw her by saying "Oh, how is Joey Taylor" even though she knew we lost contact shortly after school. I know that this half year I knew him is so insignificant to those of you who knew him his whole life. But I just feel horrible right now, and thought I'd send a post. It's amazing how someone can remain with you all of these years who you barely knew. But I assure you, he is the only one from that class I remember. And I hope he has found peace.
condolences/ Mj Clutter
This is a beautiful memorial you have created. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss.
I too stumbled upon this, and i could not stop reading. In reading what you wrote and looking at Joey's album, i thought of how blessed he was to have you as his mother, and to have his father and loving beautiful sister, Nikki. He was blessed, bright and beautiful. What happened to him in his last years and at the end could have happened to any of our sons.
But his light shone brightly because of you. Even in the worst of his life, he was better than the worst because of you. And your light shines now, because of him and your love for him. That will never go away. I believe with all my heart that some day, you will be together...more than you are now, and even more than you were then.
Joey's life made a difference. I know everyone who knew him would feel that way. He made a difference in my life by just meeting him today.
The exceptional boys leave us too soon / Lesley Schroeder
Hello Leslie
I stumbled upon your beautiful boy's site by accident but in truth, was most likely led here. I read the tributes paid to him and recognised yet another unique soul - so much to give, so much to teach us and such a short number of years to do it in. My son Mark was also an ice hockey player who died the same year as Joey at age 17.
Because Joey loved so very well I am sure you know that his spirit is always around. Bless our beautiful boys who came here for too short a time to teach us so much!
To come so far..... / Melissa Votano (Doug's Mom ) I understand your loss from two perspectives. I was a crack addict and the loss of family was what brought me back. I have been clean for 8 years as of the first of January. There were many times I wondered how I made it out when I see so many who don't.
I agree with you that our children should be talked about in the present. They are still with us. Sometimes we can "see" them or feel them, sometimes not, but they are always there looking out for us. My boyfriend told me that when I can't feel Doug he is probably busy stopping someone else from leaving us. So at those times when Joey doesn't seem to be there, take comfort in knowing he is probably saving some other young person from their mistakes and he'll be back soon.
If Tears Could Build a Stairway / Arika Steele (friend) If tears could build a stairway, And memories were a lane, We would walk right up to heaven To bring you down again. No farewell words were spoken, No time to say good-bye. You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why. Our hearts still ache in sadness And secret tears still flow, What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know. When we are sad and lonely, And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whisper "Cheer up and carry on." Each time we look at your pictures, You seem to smile and say, "Don't cry, I'm only sleeping, We'll meet again someday."
IN OUR DREAMS / Holly Matt Terry's Mom For God speaks in one way, and in two, though people do not percieve it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night,
When deep sleep falls on mortals, while they slumber on their beds,
Then he opens their ears.
Job 33
Joey, you are a very loved man and oh, how you are missed. Your mother, your sister, your family and many friends are waiting for that fine day when they will hold you and touch your handsome face again, for they love you so much, sweet and loving Joey.
Grief, like the ocean... - Rose Kennedy / Lesli... Austin's Mom (I know Joey through his Mother's love for him. ) Grief, like the ocean, comes in waves only to recede and come yet again.
But with it comes healing.
Memories wash ashore and are bathed by the golden sun.
Grab hold of those memories and let them fill the emptiness.
"It has been said that time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens---- but it is never gone."
Rose Kennedy
Crying for you Miss Leslie / Crystal (gayleen) Hillstrom (friend of mom ) Oh God reading how you sniff his glove....that just totally got to me! I'm so tired of reading these carbon copy stories of our beautiful kids losing their lives to drugs. We suffered so many of the same things Leslie.....watching our boys suffer a slow motion suicide. Thats my best way to describe it.....thats what it felt like. I watched the movie "Walk The Line" and got jealous watching the part where June's dad runs the drug dealer off with a rifle. Talk about hillbilly rehab! I thought to myself..."Where was my posse?" I'm sorry for ranting. It's just such a loss~sigh~............My heart is with you today miss Leslie as you celebrate another birthday without him here. Love Crystal
Thinking of Joey / Linda-GN Mom2Dawn&Laurie4ever (friend of Mom ) Light a Candle
Light a candle for those we mourn Into a new life they will be born. Do not look for them at the grave site. They are somewhere else radiating their beautiful light. They have gone to a new world where there is no darkness, no pain. Their light and essence will always remain. Light a candle for those who have left this mortal place. They are free to travel through time and space. When we think of them, they are near. When we sit in a beautiful garden. Their voices we hear. When we listen to a divine symphony, We close our eyes, their faces we see. Light a candle for they have not really gone. With each flickering flame, in your hearts they will always belong.
Truth from a poet / Mom "I loved the boy with the utmost love of which my soul is capable of and he is taken from me - yet in the agony of my spirit in surrendering such a treasure, I feel a thousand times richer than if I had never possessed it." Letter of William Wordsworth on the death of his son in 1812.
Everything I Own / Mom Everything I Own By Bread
You sheltered me from harm. Kept me warm, kept me warm You gave my life to me Set me free, set me free The finest years I ever knew Were all the years I had with you
I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own, Just to have you back again.
You taught me how to love, What it’s of, what it’s of. You never said too much, But still you showed the way, And I knew from watching you. Nobody else could ever know The part of me that can’t let go.
I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own Just to have you back again.
Is there someone you know, You’re loving them so, But taking them all for granted. You may lose them one day, Someone takes them away, And they don’t hear the words you long to say
I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own Just to have you back again.
To my son / Mom
My dear Joey, I am bombarded with thoughts of you and memories of Christmas's past. I was remembering the Living Nativities at church, where you played either a shepherd or a king. How the live animals would act up or pee and you would try not to laugh. I remember how you gave all the money in your bank to the outreach center when you were in 5th grade. Christmas Eve church - just two years ago - when I noticed your dad sleeping and I passed the message down for you to wake him up, and you wisely said "No way". I remember the year you had croup and we went to the Emergency Room in the middle of the night, parading you and your sister past the living room after Santa had come. The only thing that stopped your coughing was the cold air, so I spent Christmas morning trudging around the yard in a few feet of snow with you bundled up in my arms in your red flannel feet pajamas. I picture you in Christmas sweatshirts wearing your Santa hat. The handprint Christmas tree that you made in 2nd grade. The holiday concerts you sang and played your trumpet in. Your happy, smiling face. God, I miss you so much. I will love you forever.
friend/ Dessa Smith Joseph's Mom (friend)
Superman/ Mom Joe,
I found your superman cape the other day. What a treasure! I remember that, for a while, you insisted on wearing it pinned to your shirt every day for preschool. You also carried a briefcase at that time. You still make me smile. I'll love you forever.
Thanksgiving/ Mom My dear Joey,
I just left you a piece of pumpkin pie. I hope you get it before the deer! Ha-ha. I was remembering the Thanksgiving play when you were in kindergarten. You all knelt down behind long strips of brown paper that were decorated as the land the Pilgrims came to. You had your characters on sticks and held them up at certain times while the teacher read the story of the first Thanksgiving. You were the church! How cute is that! At the end of the play you all sang in your clear, happy little voices, "Happy Thanksgiving to All". What a perfect moment. Thank you for being in my life. I am thankful for YOU!
Joe, you are my delight. / Mom When you are sorrowful look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Kahlil Gibran
one year... / Nicole Bretsnyder (Sister) My life suddenly changed Sept 19, 2005 when my brother, Joe, died abruptly from a heroin overdose.
The death of a loved one is at the top of the list of life events that bring stress into our lives along with divorce, moving and changing jobs. The common element in all of these is that something has changed.
When stress disrupts our routine, our health is usually impacted. In my case my mental health. We make decisions that we normally wouldn't. We say things that would otherwise go unspoken and, as a result, we drift further apart from those we love, including ourselves!
It isn't the stress in itself that's the problem, in my case it was the decision to react and respond to the stressors that deepened my separation from others.
Recently I've been trying to focus more on the few positive changes that I am in the process of working toward to improve my life and my mental health. I'm trying to better cope with the distress of losing my one true friend...my brother Joe.
Joe, from this day on, exactly one year after you've left us, I promise to continue my journey to living life the way you would have!
Tributes and Condolences
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