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

Kevin my gentle son, always said he had a wonderful childhood, sports, music, friends. But when addiction took a grip on him he lost everything, most of all his feeling of pride. He used to say I wish I had cancer mom because then people would help me. There’s not a lot of hope for addicts. It’s a difficult lifelong uphill battle. It’s a sad existence and the family suffers through it also. It wasn’t addiction per say that killed Kevin. He committed suicide because he was embarrassed by what he had become. People used to say “just stop”. If you understand addiction at all you know it’s not that simple. So let’s get the word out! We love you Kevin. Still waiting for you to come through the door and say “hey ma”.

Mandi informed me that she had been using alcohol since the age of 9. I was a part of her life from birth to death. With the exception of a 20 year span when we lost touch. Upon re-uniting with her after this 20 year loss I learned of her struggle with alcohol and other drug addictions. She beat and recovered from drug abuse. However, alcohol was beating her down and she eventually lost her battle with this ugly substance. Through all of this trauma and fight with addiction her family suffered too.
Knowing Mandi, her smile was infectious. It never ceases to amaze me that through all her fight she remained positive. She always had a smile and looked to help others overcome drug addiction. She cared deeply for her 3 sons. Emilio, Dante and Averi. This disease of alcoholism took their mother away from them.
Mandi will live in my heart forever! She was such a beautiful person fighting a battle with as much grace as she could muster. She was unable to win the battle of alcoholism but she did effect others in a positive way.

Tyler had the most contagious laugh, most beautiful smile, and the kind of eyes that would stop you in your tracks. He had such passion and purpose in life for all things good. He loved his family, and was the protector of his girls (Sisters, Mom, Nana). If you were ever feeling down, you could count on Tyler to turn your frown around, and having you laughing and forgetting all of your worries. He was a natural born comedian that had a knack for cracking jokes at the most inappropriate times. He always made you feel comfortable and loved, as well as understood and heard. He loved to grow all of the things, and cared for his garden filled with flowers and baby carrots. He took this passion he had for the Earth, and went to college to be an Environmental Scientist. He made some of the best friends he has ever had in his life during that time period, along with his life long friends that he has has since grade school. His Pappy was someone that he strove to be like, and even self proclaimed himself as being "Pappy Thorne." Tyler also enjoyed going to the mountains to visit his dad and take off on dirt bikes and his 4-wheeler, as well as work on cars and play video games. He also loved playing video games, hunting, and fishing with his step-dad. Not only was Tyler a person to completely change your mood, he was also insanely compassionate, crazy kind, and loved so much, you would swear he had the heart of a lion. Everyone gravitated toward him, and he was a breath of fresh air. He was a guy's guy, but had such a sensitive and deep soul. He also enjoyed sports like football (go Falcons & Big Blue), basketball, and baseball. Tyler loved all kinds of music, and enjoyed sharing new bands he found with his friends. There isn't one genre of music that he didn't like, and he would listen to the same songs over and over until you liked it too. He was very charming, captivating, and knew how to sell ice to an Eskimo. People like Tyler are extremely hard to come by, and when you find one like him, it is really tough to lose them. Tyler may be gone, but he lives in the hearts of the people he has touched and loved. He will be forever 23, and always in our hearts.

Born into this world with a ton of love! Everyone enjoyed being around Steven,he was the light in so many lives. Loving ,caring good hearted man. If you needed a laugh he was the one to call! He was an inspiring young chef that landed the job of his dreams. After working in the restaurant industry's since the age of 15 he finally found a place that recognized the talent that he had. New job a steady 9 months clean and happy as would be! The night before Easter Sunday,April fool's day 7:45 pm I talked to my son. Steven I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Steven invited the family for Easter brunch at the inn that he worked at. Can't wait to See you mama! We had our conversation about how good the food will be ,what time we will meet a and if he can sit with us for brunch . We ended the conversation with I love you Steven ,I love you to mama! As we getting ready to leave for our brunch ,my phone rang ..... The next time I saw my son was on weds. @ 3pm. R.I.P. My handsome baby!

Reggie struggled with addiction for over 13 years he died from issues caused by his drug use. He was a good father to his 4 kids .Nautu ,Deon( died age 15 mo), ReAunna and Jorden he cherished and loved them !! He would be proud of them! Addiction causes hurt and loss in all of us .Reggie will be waiting for us ! We love and miss you!

Our loving son, Christopher Patrick Finkel, died On April 21st, 2018 after a lengthy battle with
addiction. During his short life, Chris witnessed more than a dozen of his friends lose their battle with addiction and there were countless more victims in our community and across our country. Our family is committed to turning our grief into action so other families can be spared the pain of watching their child suffer with this disease.

As a youth, Christopher had a passion for soccer. He was a member of the top travel teams in Ohio. He enjoyed the competitive nature of traveling to tournaments across the Midwest and Eastern US. In his middle-teen’s he transitioned to other pursuits including golf and snowboarding; which ultimately led to him working the ski season at a resort at Lake Tahoe after high school. Shortly after this time, the tentacles of addiction starting controlling Christopher’s life. He loved his family deeply and carried a special bond with his father Mark, and Grandpa Gary and Grandma Judy in New York.
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Despite his suffering, Christopher remained a kind and gentle in his soul. He was a loving son and brother, and a faithful and true friend. We have been comforted by the number of people who knew Christopher this way, including those who knew him as a child as well as those who knew Christopher only recently. Christopher was full of charisma and personality. He believed in living life to the fullest every day. He valued his friends and family and gave all his love to them completely, especially his girlfriend Brooke.

Most people remember Christopher’s wonderful smile and beautiful eyes. Christopher was also an awesome person, a motivator, and a dreamer who genuinely cared for others. He was full of charm and could capture anyone in good conversation. Christopher had many talents and when he put his mind to it, he could do anything. One of the things he used to love to say was “keep moving forward” Christopher once posted a quote: “The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about

Christopher suffered from addiction, a disease he struggled with for many years. While he was unable to overcome that battle, he was a fierce and persistent fighter who lived every day of his life as fully as he could. The Bible says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong.”
Christopher’s place of rest Holy Cross Cemetery, Etna Ohio. We encourage our friends to check out the addiction services offered by Shatterproof. Your support of programs like Shatterproof (https://www.shatterproof.org/ ) are critical to eliminating the disease of addiction. . “ I imagine heaven as a place where dreams come true. A place where someday I will share eternity with you

The Finkel Family

I met Bobby 17 years ago we were friends first then started dating and finally fell in love. We got married 13 years ago and have the most incredible 12-year-old daughter. Bobby fought long and hard with his disease he was in and out of detox, rehab, therapeutic communities, jail, prison, psych hospitals, living on the street because his disease was stronger then recovery. When he was clean life was great working, vacations, family time, attending meetings. But when his disease took control he was gone for days at a time, no money, not paying Bill's, missing family events, losing jobs.

He finally lost the fight in May, but he never stopped fighting. Love and miss you Bobby. R&R

First of all Richard was a loving caring person, husband, and a friend. He got attracted to the different drugs out here at a young age. It had been recently before he passed that he had got addicted to heroin. It first started when the doctor's stopped prescribing his pain medication. He had all types of pain issues from scoliosis in his back, to sciatica, and then his knees. He had knee surgeries. Which lead him to go to the streets for Vicodin and such, then that got too expensive, so he turned to the heroin. There is not a day that doesn't go by that I don't think of him. I still can't believe it is coming up on 2 years since his overdose. I miss him so much that I want honor him in this walk. To try help others see what can happen if they don't change or get help. If Richard would've lasted another week he would've had a bed at Stella Maris.

I miss her smile, I miss her laugh, I miss everything about her. She was my baby sister. Addiction took her. It almost took me too. It's just not fair. I don't know what else to write here. I just miss her so much...😥😥

Your smile could light up any room, your laugh was contagious. I miss your voice and talking to you for hours about anything and everything. The world isn't the same without you in it babygirl 💜

Where do I begin? Joe has been a part of my life for 28 years. High School sweethearts, married and have three amazing daughters. We lived a simple life together but had tons of fun. He was a talented welder and worked very hard for our family. I miss EVERYTHING about him and our time together. I’m lonely, sad, mad, scared and still numb. I want this to be a nightmare that I wake up from and he’s laying next to me.... Joe always said, “I know what I gotta do!” When it came to his struggles with addiction. But clearly he didn’t. I will always wonder what was going on in that crazy head of his!??!?! I hope he knows how much I loved him, respected him and most of all how much I will miss him !!! Please keep me & my girls in your prayers. Thank you, Momma

Hillary was one of the most caring and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was my best friend, my other half. The Fric to my Frac, and as she would say...the peanut butter to my jelly! I’m so grateful to God that he let our paths cross. She was fighting demons that most of us will never know about. I watched her fight this addiction so hard. She wanted it so bad and you could see that. Losing her has been the hardest thing, but knowing she is healthy and with her Mom in Heaven gives us all comfort. We love you Hills...to the moon and back.

Kenny was was an angel with a fire in his soul.  He was born to seek the thrill, to rebel against the governing rules.  People were drawn to him, he carved his own path, he was a leader.

Ken's smile, his infectious smile, his laugh, and his heart, his heart, his heart was gold.

I envision Ken as a warrior, on the battlefield between good, and evil.  He was blessed with the strength of a thousand armies, the looks of a superhero, and the charisma of John F. Kennedy.  But, he was also cursed with a mind, although genius at times....was broken.

Ken's ability to win people over, his unmatched competitive spirit were being drowned out by the voices that told him he was undeserving of happiness, his own worst enemy.  

The grand stature of his body, the strong, masculine structure of his face were all a mere container for the fragile mind that moved it.  The fractured thinking that ran rampant behind those bright blue eyes....we may never know the demons that haunted you.  But we know that you are free, free from the stories you wore on your increasingly weathered face.  Your rugged, torn hands that you worked so hard with.

My hope is that your life can be an example of the cross you bared, that so many bare, that became too heavy, even for you, the young man that we all believed could move mountains in our youth.

I hope too, that I, your sister, can be an example that's god does save us, in our darkest hour.  That evil can be overcome if you truly relinquish control, and ask for it.  I would like to share a poem that I wrote in the first days of my 15 years of sobriety.  I was in the clutches of Satan, my life was seemingly hopeless.  My poem describes the moment that I felt the Lord pulled me from the dark and into the light:

    You found me helpless, trembling, a captive             in the dungeon of your cowardly enemy,

    Shackled, like a tortured slave.

    Begging for mercy from the evil masochist, foolish ridicule spoken by the venomous tongue of the ruthless tyrant.

    He feasted on my weak, fragile soul.  He mocked my pleas for freedom, he heckled my desperate cries.  He would not cease until I had perished.  The sick, savage beast taunted me with demonic tools of torture.

    On my knees I begged you Lord for salvation.  You heard me desperate mercy screams, you felt my ravaged body's pain, my splintered thoughts.  You poured over me like rain in a desert, quenched my thirsting spirit.

    My violent suffering ended with your cleansing grace.  The cold, dark dungeon just a memory.  For now I live in the warm, colorful safety of your fruitful garden.

Please move forth with the kindness that Ken had in his heart.  Reach out to someone suffering in this often all too dark world. And try not to judge, and show them too, that there is LIGHT!

Nick was the oldest of our three kids. We had him when we were only 17. So it was kinda like we grew up with him. I did not know I could love someone so much. He taught me what was important in life and made me so proud to be his mother.

When he was a teenager he started drinking and experimenting with some drugs but at that time I thought it was the normal teenage stuff. After graduation, he got a job working in shipping and was engaged to get married to his high school sweetheart. All seem great! He still liked to drink and go out with his friends but always seemed happy and no issues. One day he hurt his back at work and went to the doctor and they prescribed him opioids for the pain. He was on those for awhile. I think that is when his addiction really took over. Then his fiance broke it off because she got into a relationship with someone else and I am sure the drinking and painkillers contributed to that. His world was shattering around him. He went through depression and started showing up late to work so he was let go. He was introduced to heroin and that is when his legal troubles began. He was arrested and then broke his probation cause he tested positive to drugs and spent a while in jail. I though that was bad and fought to get him out. He was clean and looked great when he was released. I had my Nick back!!! Unfortunately, I did not know how powerful that his addiction was and only 45 days later he was gone! He received a full batch of fentanyl and lost his battle to addiction. I was lucky to have him with me for 26 yrs just wish it was a lot longer! A parent should never have to bury their child. Our lives are forever changed and one day I will see my angel again.🙏❤️

To my Big Brother,

Thank you for not telling mom about the broken couch after we wrestled, or the real reason why I needed 4 stitches above my upper eye. Thank you for always playing in the snow with me and driving me to school every day when I was a freshman in high school (even though we had to walk 4 blocks to get to school every day because you didn’t want to pay for a parking pass). Thank you for convincing mom and dad to get us a dog. You were so good with Sugar. I would have never told you this, but I was so jealous. She just took to you and from that day forward you guys were inseparable. God, you loved animals. From Sammy the hamster to Sugar and Bailey. You always had a way to connect with animals. Thank you for always playing video games with me even though you always won. Thank you for always going swimming with me even though you always threw me in. Thank you for showing me how to be tough, even though it took getting beat up on a daily basis. Thank you for helping me form my own taste in music because god knows yours was awful. Thank you for passing on your love of flaming hot Cheetos and cookies, and frozen pizzas.

There was a time when we were kids when Chris announced he had a terrible stomachache after eating a whole bag of flaming hot Cheetos. So what did Chris do? What did my big bro do? He went upstairs and brought down a handful of cookies and milk. What was his rationale? He planned on washing down the bag of Cheetos with cookies and milk as if it was some unknown remedy. But that was Chris. Genuine. Kind. Soft-spoken. Artistic. Real. We didn’t express our love through words or hugs like regular families. No. Rather we expressed our love through insults, and punches and body slams and Chris if you were here right now, god, I’d punch you so hard. But as I reflect on the memories we’ve shared I want to thank you for being my big brother. We didn’t always get along, but we were brothers. We didn’t always have the same interests, but we were brothers. You left us too soon, but we will always be brothers. I love you. Till we meet again…

For a man I didn't always get along with, it sure is hard to say goodbye. There are plenty of "woulda shoulda coulda's", but the biggest is that I didn't talk to him when he tried to reach out to me. I've learned it is so important to let go of the past, forgive, and reconcile. Because one day it may be too late. Despite our differences and our difficulties, I do miss him. And I do regret not answering the phone that one time. I regret not swallowing my pride and living up to his image of me.... the forgiving one. Miss you, Dad. I know that one day, I'll see you again -- I know you're up there dancin' with David and singing with the heavenly choir in your best off-tune voice. Maybe you're even entertaining angels with your silly made-up lyrics. See you in Heaven, Dad.

Nathan Kosakowski was a big brother to four siblings. He was a genius and very creative in music and art. He also was an amazing chef. He was someone who could do anything. He was also very loving to his family and close friends. We miss him dearly, but he is always with us.