The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

You know that one friend everyone has that you always have to warn newcomers about? You know, the one you have to tell to be nice, can’t ever put them on speaker phone, but yet the biggest heart and the warmest smile? Who comes to my mind is my best friend, Dustin Stockowitz, and he was taken from us way too soon on July 21st, 2019.
Dustin struggled with addiction for many years. Dating back before we met, he learned to cope with his insecurities in unfortunate ways. Introduced to marijuana first, he quickly escalated to much harder substances. Not long before we met, his doting mother stuck by his side to hold him up through rounds of rehab. Dustin was able to be clean for long periods of time, just unable to ultimately stay sober. There always seemed to be some life event that would push him backwards into using again.
A little background on my relationship with Dustin; We met when I was 19, he 18. Dustin was a friend of my, at the time, boyfriend. Dustin began coming over to our home on a regular basis, and he and I became good friends. At 23, I found myself pregnant. Dustin stepped up to the plate where he didn’t have to. In 2014, Dustin’s miniature version of himself was born. Then, 2017 brought his youngest son, and class clown. Dustin was truly one hell of a father.
Our relationship had its bumps, yet despite it all, he and I both knew we were loved. Ultimately he knew he could call me no matter what, no matter when, and no matter where, I’d be there. In my heart, I know without a doubt, he would have done the same for me.
Fast forwarding to July 20th, 2019. We were broke, homeless, my mom had our kids, and both of us lost souls only trying to make it to the next day. It was that night, in our grungy, tiny, disgusting 9-day-old-dirty diaper smelling hotel room that we decided we were done. Together, we decided to get clean, to be parents, and to love ourselves as everyone else loved us.
The next morning, I found my best friend purple. He was dead. I frantically called 911 while trying to administer narcan, praying with everything in myself he would pull through. I called his mom with the intent of pissing him off, because at that moment, I just needed his voice. The rest is all a blur. Police, Fireman, EMT’s, voices, pushing, screaming, crying… and the shrill sound of his mother’s ear shattering scream as the EMT told her that her son was dead.
Assisting in the planning of the love of my life’s funeral at 30 years old is not something I ever imagined doing. I remember telling his mom multiple times throughout the planning “We shouldn’t be doing this”. Seven months after the services, and I still couldn’t tell anybody the events of the days surrounding his death. All I know for sure is that I never knew such pain was capable. Grief is not something that just goes away. It is forever engraved. Time does not heal grief. Time only teaches you how to live with grief.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Dustin. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish he was here. Maybe it’s the way our daughter howled as I took her up to see his urn. Or maybe it’s because our 2 year old son does not stop crying until I come back into the room, for fear of never seeing me again. It could even be the way he smiled at me as I picked him up from work. Any reason provided, I will forever miss his beautiful soul.

In Loving Memory
Dustin John Stockowitz
6/15/89*7/21/19

Tyler was an only child. Always a great kid, his friends' parents when he was younger would always compliment me on how well behaved he was and quiet, until he got to know you, then he was always funny, caring about others, and had a very big heart.
I feel like I was the lucky one to be Tyler’s mom
He made me in to the person I am today
Tyler was my everything
My love my heartbeat the sun on a rainy day
He was my common sense, he gave me patience, he always reminded me of kindness
I miss him so much Everyday, the pain in my heart and soul is like the day God took you from me
I love you son, I was the lucky one to be your mom
I love you happy Angel Valentine
❤️ Mom

Bree struggled with addiction for many years. She started with pot and it progressed from there. I miss her so much and my heart is broken.

Beautiful smile, big blue eyes like her Dad. Loved the beach and her dog Jamee. Missed and loved so very much ♥️

Josh was a very kindhearted man who would give you the shirt off his back literally (I witnessed him do exactly that to a total stranger). He was a very talented artist. Josh loved to make people laugh even though he was fighting his own demons. He was one of the most unselfish people you could ever meet. Josh is loved & missed by so many. I love you so much, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you! Till we meet again.

He loved more deeply than anyone I have ever known. In turn, he hurt more deeply than anyone I have ever known. He lived 20 years with his addiction. Although he died sober, the impact on his body from years of abuse took its toll. I loved him the moment I laid my eyes on him until his last breath. He was my soulmate. I’m proud to have known him.

Alex was an adventurous young man who made a casual decision to try a pill and started an eight month journey to his death.
He was a dependable, loyal worker and a loving and gentle son. His three siblings miss his funny ways, his loud reggae music, and his giant bear hugs.
Named the GoldenSoul after his passing, he is remembered for always looking out for his friends and strangers, and for his living hugs and a glorious, light-up-the-world smile.
Alex loved Naruto, Star Wars and sandwiches, but mostly he loved his intertwined family and was a joy to be around.

Megan lost her battle with mental illness and addiction last October. Megan had the biggest heart in the world. She loved working concrete construction with her dad. She loved food. Megan grew up and graduated high school in Windsor, Ct. She will be forever missed!

My Son was nicknamed Bunky. He had 2 beautiful Daughters that he loved more than anything. He really struggled with his addiction. Bunky was a very Loyal person. He was always smiling and joking around. He is missed by his Mom, Daughters, and many Friends. It doesn’t get any easier. He is in Heaven looking over us now.

Mother and grandmother that struggled with addiction her entire life. Left behind 3 daughters, Corrine, Brittany and Cheyenne. And 4 grandsons, Dylan, Cody, Andrue and Isaac. And 2 granddaughters, Sadie and Alonah. 2 of her grandchildren never got to meet their grandma. She was loved by us all very much and we miss her more than we could ever explain.

Michael was a fun loving guy. He always wanted everyone to feel included. He had a compassionate heart. Drugs changed him. He fought his addiction for a long time. He was freed from his addiction the day he went to be with Jesus. We love him and miss him every day.

JOSHUA
MI
1990-2017

Hi I'm Josh. I'm a great son, brother, grandson, friend & father. I was in a car accident & was started on narcotics for pain. I didn't know that was the beginning of the end. I was immediately addicted. My body & mind craved drugs 24/7. I went to rehab a couple times, but insurance only covered 14 days. That wasn't enough. I battled with my addiction every day, while maintaining being a father. I lost my battle on 3/28/17. Two days earlier I had decided I would go to rehab again. I hated this life... but I wanted to live. I lost. Gone too soon from a DISEASE that needed intense treatment. I miss my kids, my family... but not the pain & shame that comes with addiction. I will see you all again some day...

Patrick was a great young man who played lacrosse. He injured his shoulder and everything went downhill from there. He was always honest with me. We both tried so hard to stop the downward spiral! He just couldn’t beat it. It finally took him 2/18/17.
My life hasn’t been the same since! He is missed and forever loved by so many!

Tracy was one of the most beautiful people. She was my first best friend and a wonderful sister. She always made me smile. She loved her family so much. She had many years of struggle and still came out on top. I love and miss her so much. We never expected this to happen. If she had only had more time with us. She was 42 years old when she was called home. Until we meet again Sis, I love you!!!!

My son was more than a addict. He was an AMAZING young man and BEST brother to his younger special needs sister. He was a full time employee and lived independently. For a few years he struggled before he reached his 14 month clean stretch. Fentanyl took him from us.
Life will never be the same!

Kayden was a kind, compassionate soul who never judged anyone. His adversities made him into a humble and loving person who was a friend to all. Kayden was my best friend. We supported each other, and believed in the very best of each other, too. When his father developed Alzheimers, it was Kayden who rolled up his sleeves to assist me day to day and reminded me often that my life is not over, that god has something special in store for me in my next chapter. It was his encouragement that made my loss easier to handle. Kayden was special that way to me.
I will miss Kayden every day and my love for him was unconditional. I will
Always be most proud to have been his big momma bear!

Tashara came into the world 10/1/1991 dazzling her family with the greenest eyes that would melt our hearts forever. She had the most contagious disposition & unconditional, loving heart of anyone that I know. Our story isn’t one of a struggle with addiction. It is one that bares the similarity of a lot of the losses we have continued to see across our country. Playing Russian roulette with your life. Thinking that you’ll make it to the next day. When reality is that one more high leads to your demise. It only took one time for my beautiful, ever so loving daughter. In honor of our beautiful Tashara I will continue to fight our opioid crisis. Not only to keep her memory alive, but all of our special someone's that have been taken. Change Will Come. End the stigma & silence surrounding drug addiction & overdose. WE LOVE & MISS YOU SO MUCH T!💚

Leah Jones was a gorgeous baby who grew into a gorgeous young girl who grew into a gorgeous woman. She loved life and had a daughter who filled her heart with love. She felt others’ pain and made everyone feel like they were her very best friend. She was an accomplished student and received her bachelor of nursing in 2012. She shared her darling daughter with our family, and as far as I am concerned, Emma was her greatest gift to us as a family, as well as the world.
Losing Leah has been one of the most painful things we have ever endured. Life will never be the same for any of us. Leah’s cause of death was a cute fentanyl poisoning. She would never have knowingly used fentanyl. Whoever gave it or sold it to her killed her. I will miss her for the rest of my life- until I see her again for eternity. See you on the flipside, sis!

Loving husband, father, son and friend. Loved fishing, camping and being outside in Nature. Loved coaching our daughters and cheering them on. We miss you.