Tracy was the passenger in a car and he and the driver were both under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Tracy was my little brother. Tracy had been using drugs on and off since he was a teen. He had recently quit using drugs not long before the accident happened and it appeared his life was improving, However Tracy had quit on his own and did not get the professional help that might have made the difference and relapsed.
Tracy spent 6 weeks in a coma after the accident and never regained any normalcy before he passed from complications from the accident. His friend, the driver of the vehicle, also an addict was convicted of Vehicular Homicide. Two young lives wasted due to this disease. And countless others affected.
Tracy was amazingly funny and bright. He would give anyone the shirt off of his back. He had an outgoing personality that could not be denied. He loved music and the outdoors, with pride I watched him grow into a man. But was unable to protect him from his addiction.
Tracy had a little girl that was born after he passed he never met. We share our memories with her. Her name is Tracy. He is also missed by his Mother-Raye, Step Dad- Steve and Dad Tom, Uncle Brad, his girlfriend Vicky, and his step sons Rob and Bill and countless other friends and loved ones.
In Honor of Tracy I keep my Recovery and passion to help others a priority. Fly Free Tracy. We love you.
I met Robert when I was in treatment with his mother Michelle. We all resided at a Transitional living facility for Recovering addicts. We soon became like a family supporting each other through the ups and downs of early recovery.
Robert was like a son to me. Robert was 18yrs old when he passed from an accidental overdose. He had been experimenting with drugs for only a short period, with no real consequences prior to this. He was kind and generous and very intelligent. Robert enjoyed writing poetry and drawing. He loved people and was always quick to hold a conversation. His quick witted humor always brought a smile to those around him. Through this pain his father was inspired to get clean. Today Robert Tonnis co-owner of Ability Sober House will tell you that on Oct 24th 2003, he made a promise to honor his son and get clean. Robert is missed by many friends and loved ones. The tragedy of his death leaves us all with a void.
Mike was a dear friend who passed away from a heart attack. But not before sharing his talents with many people in and out of recovery.
Mike was sober for 11yrs at the time of his passing. I met Mike through his late wife Franny 21yrs ago when she was my sponsor. Mike always made time for the newcomer. After Mike began his career in Comedy he often came back to South Florida to visit friends. Mike was gracious enough to come and perform for my clients at the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center I worked at. We shared many good times as well as some sad times. He was an amazingly selfless and inspired many a newcomer, with his honesty, open mindedness and quick witted humor, not to mention his journey through active addiction and subsequent recovery and success. Mike you are missed dearly by so many.
I met Patty when I was 18yrs old at one of the first meetings I attended in South Florida.
Imagine my thoughts walking in to this clubhouse with this woman over 6ft tall and, her loud raspy New York accent, not to mention her purple hair. I wasn't sure if I was in the right place at all. But I sat there quietly and listened. And as I listened to her speak; I began to see something on the inside of this woman that I could relate to. I was fortunate to befriend Patty. Throughout the years I knew her, I always knew that if I asked Patty for guidance I would get the truth no matter how ugly it may be. Patty had a kind heart and was a loyal friend. Without women like Patty to guide me in my early recovery, I don't know if I would be here today. Patty touched many lives and will be missed by all those that love her.