Hey Joey, been thinking of you all day.
Holding you when you were first born all the way till my last hug. All seems like yesterday.
Missing you so, keeping you close in my heart.
Loving you always♥️

Three years Joe; 1,095 days and it is still just so hard. I don't think you knew how much you meant to us. Remembering all the laughter you brought us....dressing up, the barbie doll thing, who let the dogs out, funny faces, bugs on the table, the squirrel in the bathtub, scorpions (not so funny), messy Marvin and other things like Hammy (Jayden is asking for a hamster...hmmm), skateboards, business ideas, school (who takes physics 2 before physics 1?), go carts, fixing that blue car and having leftover parts. You brought so much to our lives and your heart was full of love. Miss you every single day xoxox

Happy Birthday Joe! Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I wish we still had you. I love you brother ❤️ I miss you so much

Lighting a candle, but I wish I could celebrate with cake and presents instead. Happy Birthday! It's been 1024 days since you were called home, but it feels like yesterday. I miss you so very much. Sigh. Selfish, I know. My heart tells me you're happy and knowing you're with grandma, Keisha, Barney, Hammy, Sugar, Lizzy, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends, and so many more gives me some peace. Until we're together again, I love you. Happy 46th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Joe!

I can’t believe another year has gone. I hope you know how much you are missed by so many. All your friends, your family and especially your Mom. There is not a day goes by that we don’t think of you. I also hope you are proud seeing Jayden grow. I haven’t taken him fishing yet but it is on the list. However, I know I will never be as good at it as you are. Until the day we see each other again, you are missed.

Love Mark

Happy Birthday Joe another heavenly birthday. Will celebrate you today, you’re in my heart always. Always missed always loved, forever until we meet again . Aunt Didi loves you forever and misses you for always. I know you are with your Mom today, she misses you so much. Love you Deb ♥️

A feather for peace. Yesterday marked two years in heaven. It still feels like yesterday. I miss you so very much. It gives me a bit of peace to know you're with grandma, Barney, Keisha, Hammy...and the rest of the family. I still talk with you...you never were one to talk back (ok, a little humor). We had a nice gathering yesterday with everyone, including Jenn and her parents. Aunt Diane, Kathy, and Tricia all shared too. It was great to remember, some written which I shared in a video. Fishing is a big one, even Jared shared fishing with you memories. An alligator??? Still, it would be better to share more time with you here on earth. Miss your big heart, smile, hugs, and long talks. I'm sure God has wrapped his light of love around you and there is no better love than that. That being said, Love You Forever and Ever. Mom

We just spent a wonderful evening with family and friends celebrating, remembering and cherishing all the great memories you created in our lives. I know you were there smiling and laughing with us. I think of you each and every day, especially when I see all the pictures of you in our home. I know you know how much you are missed by so many including me.

Love Mark

Two years without you being physically here. Two years I know your spirit watches over everyone you love. I know you pass by when I’m not feeling good or sad. Somehow I hear you, see a shadow or a cool breeze on a hot day. Miss you always love you forever. Stay close to your Mom OK and the rest of the family, Mark, Dave, Brian, Mikey, lil Joey, Jayden and the rest of our family. We keep you close in our hearts always. Sending my love to heaven ❤️ Give grandma a hug from me. Maybe greet Gram as she’s now in heaven too she’s Annie’s Nicks grandma. Love you Joe, love never leaves our hearts. You are here with us❤️

Love you Joe , almost at 2 years now. I am grateful for our texts, short visits, beach days, conversations, laughs, but still so sad. Thank God for family, always ❤️. Did you know you taught me ty? So yeah, ty for that.

I miss you like crazy brother! Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and everything we could be accomplishing right now ❤! I could really use your positive energy and crazy ideas I Love you. (It makes me happy that I can say that there wasn't one conversation that I can remember that didn't end with I love you)

Happy heavenly birthday nephew
Thinking of you today and everyday
Missing you as always
Left a message on your phone did you get it?
I know Grandma is with you and definitely has cake. Love you so much, sending hugs to heaven.
Happy birthday Joey❤️

Thinking of you today. It's your birthday and I'm recalling all of the birthdays past. It's hard because it was always David and Joey - you shared everything, even your birthdays. There's an empty place in our lives that you had filled. You're missed every day here on earth, but my heart tells me you're happy and at peace on the other side. Watching and taking it all in. We miss you son. Happy Birthday in Heaven! Sending our love xoxox

Merry Christmas Joe! Thinking of you and remembering Christmases past. So many wonderful times! When you were 3.5 and you were literally shaking you were so excited opening your gifts; when you got that operation game and you were like "why, this wasn't on my list"; when you got your red bike; and one of your favorites - your deck for your skateboard! When you got older clothes, shoes, and cash....maybe a couple of car parts here and there. We all love and miss you and think of you every day! xoxox hugs to mom

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I know you are always watching over Jayden. You will be forever missed until we see each other again.

Well, today was a tough day. Looking at the clock and it was 30 minutes ago that I got that heartbreaking call that said you'd gone home. No other info, no chance to say goodbye... I have so many great memories and I try to keep you with me through them - along with precious Jayden and Joey. I pray everyday that you are happy and with the family. You always had such a good, loving, caring heart; a wonderful son. I know you tried so hard to be everything we wanted you to be and I am so very proud of you. Until I see you again, I love and miss you every moment of every day. Mom

One year, hard to believe.
Seems like yesterday you went home.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. Send you hugs and my love❤️ 
You are so missed and so loved. Give Grandma a hug from me. Miss you both so much❤️❤️
Life is forever changed but, love lives on

Not a day goes by I don't think about you little brother. I love and miss you!

Good morning Joe. I see your bright smile and I know you are fine. Life is not the same without your physical presence, but your spirit is felt all around us. Big hugs to you. We miss you. 

We all miss you Joe. 11 months, hard to believe. One thing I’ve learned since you went to heaven is love doesn’t change. I still love you so much. I remember the little things the big things but mostly how much you love us all. I still feel how tight you hugged me the last time I saw you. It’s a comfort. Sending a big hug to you and Grandma. And all my love❤️❤️

Happy Eleven Months in Heaven Joe. We miss you every day and it just doesn't get easier. Thank you for watching over us, protecting, and caring. We love you so very much. Did you celebrate Aunt Pat's birthday with the family? Hope so. Give hugs to mom. xoxoxoxoxox Miss you so much

Another month has passed us by,
but it feels like yesterday
I got the call that you were gone and home with God to stay.
Can't say it's gotten any easier,
My heart still feels the pain,
I stop and think about the day that I will see you again.
I know you're safe and have found peace
surrounded by family and friends,
but still my mind goes to that place
where I wish I could see you again.
Happy ten months is heaven Joe.
I love you xoxox

Wish I could call you
Wish I could hug you
Wish I could see you
Wish I could hear your voice
Wish I could see your smile
Wishing you a happy heavenly birthday Joe
Love you forever miss you for always

There was a time when a hug would be laughed at as a birthday gift. If only I could give you that hug today. Happy Birthday Joe. I miss you . Aunt Trisha

Happy nine month anniversary in Heaven! We miss you so very much. Your birthday is coming up in a few months. That will be a rough one, but I'm sure the peace and beauty of Heaven is worth skipping the cake down here :) Well, we'll have one for you anyway. In the meantime, thinking of you each and every day. We're sending our love xoxox

Oh dear Joey,

When I think of you I still think of the first little baby I can remember meeting. You were so cute! I remember wanting to eat your baby food all the time and really just doing it because I wanted to be around you. One day you went crawling up the stairs and David and I went running up after you. I've always remembered in that moment, learning about myself, that I really liked to "take care of" people. There was always something special about you... a light that doesn't shine quite so easily in everyone. Keep shining, Joey, as bright as you can. :) God gave you a beautiful work to do, you are just doing it in a better place than the rest of us. with love, Jen.  p.s. Thank you for being a special part of my childhood.

Joe my love, I’m sorry I don’t write on here a lot, when I do it just makes it real and I just still don’t want to believe you are gone. I keep waiting for you to walk thru the door laughing telling me this was all a prank. I check my phone waiting for a text or phone call from you. But I know that it will never happen. So I watch your videos just to hear your voice. My favorite is the one when you are singing to me on your way to work and I get to hear you say you love me and miss me. I just wish I could hear it in person but that time will come. Until then I have to force myself to accept what is. As hard as it may be. You know I will always love you. You are and will always be the love of my life and I want to thank you for the love you gave me. I want to thank you for all the smiles you gave me all the kindness, and laughs. I want to thank you for being you. You are “kind of a big deal” and I am thankful to have met you and extremely lucky to have been able to spend the time I did with you. You showed me that there are still good people in the world. I don’t understand why you were taken from us and I know I never will. All I do know is you are in a better place now and you are happy and free dancing in the sky.

       I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!

I didn't forget, eight months today. Still so very difficult. I was remembering Vicki Scanga - your after school sitter. She always called you Messy Marvin. I remember walking into her house one afternoon and you were eating a bowl of cereal (I think that's what it was) and when you got up there was cereal on the table, chair, floor....just wanted to let you know....I think Little Joey has the same tendency! Miss you so much Joe! xoxox

So, today marks seven months in heaven; happy seven months Joe! We still miss you like crazy. So happy to hear you are watching....so, for this anniversary there's a challenge. I have added three new pictures. Since there are 3,800 views, I wonder if anyone will recognize the new pictures. Right up you alley Joe! Love you so very much xoxoxox always.

Six months, 183 days today, the phone call came to tell us God called you home. In some ways I'm really thankful that you are in heaven. Lord knows it has to be better there (yes, a pun). Still, I miss you like crazy - every day. So many why's and what if's. I found this poem: Something will remind me, I never know just when, It might be something someone says and it all comes back again.   The times we spent together, the happiness the fun, Once again I feel the pain of life without my son.   It's said that time's a healer. I'm not sure this is true. There's not a day goes by Son that I do not cry for you. Love you forever and ever xoxox

Hey Joe
Been thinking about you all day. Memories and love last forever. So you are here forever too. ❤️Just still hard to think of you not physically being here. One day perhaps I will be able to think of you without crying. Our beautiful boy, love you forever miss you for always. Aunt Didi❤️

Joe I think about u every single day. I'm finally able to speak about it without crying. I have accepted that God took you home because he needed you. U are such an amazing person with such a good heart and full of positive energy and love. U touched the lives of everyone u came in contact with. I pray Jayden grows up to have the same kind caring heart and energy that u have. There will forever be a hole in my heart that noone could ever even attempt to fill. If I stay alone the rest of my life I'm ok with that bc I met my soulmate and was able to spend the most amazing 4 years with. I was one of the lucky ones. We had that once in a lifetime kind of love. U have given me enough love to last a lifetime. U will always be mine and I will always be yours. No man could ever take your place. U will always be the love of my life. I love u so so much. I can't wait to join u and continue our life free and happy...when it's my time....I can't wait to meet u at the stairway up. Til then my love....

Grief is the price of love. I just read that and thought it was absolute truth. I am thankful for the gift of loving you. I was just remembering the time you brought that horse home; then there was the go-cart...and so much more. Love you Joe

Grief never ends … But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love. —AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Although your picture hangs on our tree,
we're missing your presence, your smile, your glee.
The empty stocking, no gifts with your name....
It's been a really hard day, but I'm thankful you're free.
Love, hugs, and Merry Christmas. I love you always son.

Hey Joe
Miss you, still so hard to think you’ve gone home. Glad Grandma is there with you. It’s a lil comfort. 
Give her a hug from me. Little memory, Thanksgiving day you were 13 or 14 , you wanted to go to the movies. So, you bet you could finish the turkey for 5$. And you did lol. Always made everyone laugh. Best smile in our family. ❤️ Love Aunt Didi

Pray for you (or with you?) daily Joe and cannot wait to see your giggly self once again one day. We miss you, especially today. Love and hugs, Aunt Trisha

We will miss you so much Joe. The pictures flood my mind with so many memories. You were precious to me and so many. I believe God has a plan for you in heaven just as he did here on Earth. You are loved.

Today marks two months in heaven. Still missing you every single day. There've been half a dozen masses as well as daily mass for a year from Skip and Joann, so I know your travels were easy, but I'm sad that I didn't get that time to say goodbye - enjoy another Thanksgiving and Christmas - birthday. I know we'll have eternity in heaven and am holding onto that. Love and miss you. Mom

Just looking at all the pictures of Joey. The 43 years he was here he had a lot of joy and happiness. And most of all love. Love from his family. Love from friends. Thankful for this. I think it’s why his smile is so bright. I wish we had more time to spend with you. Never enough time. I promise to keep loving you today tomorrow and all the rest of my days. Love you forever, miss you for always. 
Love Aunt Diane (Didi)

Joe Joe. All I can share is the fact that anytime we spoke or were around one another you had great bright energy. You were always optimistic and brought light heartedness to any situation. I can honestly say we only had positive encounters and you are missed and loved. I appreciate having known your spirit and you and I being friends in our Journey. A few words to describe you would be A Genuine Good Human. Thank you Brother.

I still cannot find the words.. Your smile would light up a room, Joey. I will always cherish the laughs we had. & I will forever cherish the friendship we had. You will always hold a special place in my heart... I love you, friend.

There's such a hole in my heart. The days are filled with what if, why didn't, but maybe....and just asking why? why? why? My beautiful son. Remembering the day you were born, checking on you while you slept, calling in unison "davidandjoey", sharing every goal you achieved, and every pain you endured. I know I will never be able to fill the void you left behind, but I will try to remember all of the happy times. It's just gonna be so hard.

I will miss you my friend, you always gave the greatest hugs. Say hello to a few others we have lost if you can...much love.

Rest In Peace My Friend....

Dear sweet Nephew ,
  no words can say how heartbroken I am and how much you will be missed. When I last saw you, you didn't want to say goodbye when we we're returning to NY. We hugged and said I love you and our goodbye's and both started walking away and turned around at the same time and hugged and said I love you again and then did it again , giggled then teared up. You used to do that when you we're little. Your smile was always so heartwarming . These are only a few of the many beautiful memories you left behind and when I think of you or see my great nephews Joey and Jayden I will smile because that light you gave off in your smile is eternal.

Where to start , what to say cause I'm lost to even think you are not with us physically but your spirit will for ever be near ,the other night Aunt Trisha said she dreamed you was a star, last night before I went to bed I watched the video of yr birthday before going to sleep and I was on my patio , something told me to look up and there was one star out bright I smiled and said that's Joey we grew up together in our younger years and u was my favorite did you know that lmao goofy funny wild lol....Wow this is hard , I love you cuzo God knows I do I'm sooooooo thankful I talked you I got to say I love you I got to say I was proud of you Joey ,.Watch over us I will for ever miss and love you Joey ,Until we meet again cuzo rest easy ...Love you ❤️ Love

You’re in a better place, an angel looking at us.
May your soul R.I.P.,my condolences to the family.
Knowing the Rivera family, you had to be a great person.
See you in heaven...

Dear Joe I hope you know you are loved and missed by so many family and friends. I will have and treasure all the memories we shared. Every time I see our grandchildren, I will also see you. Love Dad

My dear Joey
There are no words that can express how much I will miss you or how much my heart aches. I remember when you were born, when you were a toddler, a teen and a man. I will always remember your smile and saying I love you aunt Didi. Not Titi but Didi. Made that up yourself. You’re forever in my heart, keeping you there safe and warm until I can hug you again. I love you forever, miss you for always nephew❤️

"Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much."

-Ellen Brenneman