Dearest John,

If you were still here on earth, you would be 66 years old today. Jim, Jeff and I would be kidding you and each other about how we're all really old now. I am very grateful for your life and how it stands as an example of generosity and humility. It still hurts when someone asks me about my siblings, and I answer that I had three younger brothers, but the youngest passed away in 2015. Your greatest gift to me in this life is that the memory of you inspires Love. Thank you, and know that we celebrate you in our hearts.

Love always, Jo

Dearest brother John,

Happy birthday! We celebrate your loving spirit which still guides us.

Your faith, demonstrated through action, was a lifeline of support for the many that you helped. Your journey wasn't easy, but you walked it with grace, leaning on your faith every step of the way. Amidst your own struggles, your caring heart and listening ear were always there for those who needed it most.

Today, we remember you with smiles and tears, grateful for the time we had and sorrowful for our lack of understanding of your path. We find comfort in knowing that you're at peace, your faith finally leading you home.

You're forever in our hearts.

Love always, Jeff

Though eight years have passed since we lost you, your presence remains strong with us. We remember your struggles, yes, but the memory of your generosity, compassion for your fellow human and love for us is your enduring legacy. Rest in peace, beloved brother ❤️

It's hard to believe that eight years have passed. We still deeply miss you, cherishing all the goodness and kindness you brought into our lives.

With love always,

Jeff

Beloved John,
Today would have been your 65th birthday. I smile at my perception that you’re still “the kid.” There was a youthful quality about you that age and hardship did not completely erode.
The enduring strength of your memory is a testament to the power of Love. In our family, expressing love did not come easily. I understand now that you truly loved us. I made light of your wish expressed at Dad’s funeral that we should all move in together and live as a family. As unrealistic as that wish may have been, the love that prompted it was genuine. I love you and I am grateful that your spirit remains with me in this life. Rest in peace in God’s loving presence ❤️

My dearest brother John,

How fast the time passes.... Reflecting today on your birthday and throughout the year on your life and the impact you had on me and those around you, I'm more than ever filled with a deep sense of gratitude and admiration. Your unwavering commitment to serving others through acts of love, faith, and charity inspired us all and continues to be a beacon of light in a world that often feels dark and hopeless.

I remember how your pain and struggles moved you closer to God, and how your unwavering faith helped you navigate even the toughest of times. I'm grateful for the memories we shared and how you taught me to find joy and purpose in the simplest things in life.

Even though we struggle to honor your wish to be closer as a family, I know that you would be proud of how we continue to try to love and support one another in your absence. Your memory lives on in our hearts, and I find comfort in the hope that one day we'll be reunited in Heaven.

In His love and ours, I pray for your peace baby brother.

Dearest John,
With each passing year, I treasure your memory more. Rest in eternal peace and love, dear brother.
❤️

Dearest John,
How fitting that your birthday falls on Easter this year. Memories of you are repeatedly resurrected and treasured by your remaining family. We renew our appreciation for your unique gifts. We recall the many times you expressed kindness and generosity to people in need. May your spirit know joy each time you are remembered and may your eternal soul rest in peace .

Love, Jo

Happy Birthday baby brother! I still remember the first time I saw you. It was a sunny day and I was playing in the front yard in Demarest when the Buick wagon pulled into the driveway. I ran to the car and you were in mother’s arms, wrapped in a pale blue blanket. She peeled it back, showed me your tiny little face and hands and told me to be gentle.

Thinking of you today and reflecting on life’s journey… as the context of events become clearer over the arc of time, I should have been a much better brother. I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you, both through commission and omission. Sorry for the poor example set when we were young and most sorry for the times I wasn't supportive when you were in greatest need. Your kindness, gentleness and love is more apparent now than ever and I hold the memory of those tiny hands and your beautiful spirit in my heart with so much love and gratitude for you, my dearest baby brother!

Lyrics from Bright Eyes “Arc of Time”... You can make a plan, Carve it into stone, Like a feather falling, It is still unknown, Until the clock speaks up, Says it's time to go, You could choose the high, Or the lower road, You might clench your fist, You might fork your tongue, As you curse or praise, All the things you've done, And the faders move, And the music dies, As we pass over, On the arc of time….

God, please rest John's beautiful soul, he tried mightily to honor You amidst his pain. 

Hard to believe that it’s been six years since your soul departed this earth. We remember the best of you, John, and that’s how it should be. You blessed us in ways you never knew. Rest in Eternal Peace and Love.

Dearest John,

Time passes ever more quickly now and my thankfulness continues to grow for the blessing of having you as my brother...Each anniversary brings a sorrowful remembrance but also a deepening gratitude for the example of your kind temperament and incredible depth of love and commitment toward others. 

Rest well, I love you!

Thought of you and spoke of you with love yesterday. That enduring, warm memory is your gift to us, and our speaking of it is our gift to you. You have become the connection, the source of the familial bond that you always wanted. Remembering you with love always, but especially on your birthday.

Happy Birthday , Thinking of you today and often. May your eternal rest be bathed in love... I consistently fail to follow your selfless example but still strive to...Thanks for showing the way, I love you!

Dear John, the memory of you and the love and generosity at the core of your being are still strong after five years. Rest In Peace, my dear brother. Rest in perfect wisdom and grace. Rejoice in the light of God. I love you.

John,

It seems like yesterday last time we spoke and hurts to remember 5 years have past without you. I miss your gentle loving spirit, wise counsel and love you so. Wish I showed this much gratitude for your presence when you were with us! May God keep you in His loving arms now and forever.

All my love, Jeff

Dear John,
Once again we remember you with love on your birthday. Even though you struggled in this life, you never lost compassion for those struggling more than you. Rest in God’s love always and know that you live in our hearts.
Love, Jo

Happy Birthday....Hope you are resting well! Always in my heart and prayers!

Love you brother!

John, four years after your passing from this life, your light still shines bright. We loved you imperfectly during your time on earth; for that, please forgive us. Know that your desire to bring us closer together has been fulfilled. May your soul continue its journey in the infinite loving energy that is God, and may you rest forever in the peace and salvation of His Son. Amen.
Love, Jo

My dearest brother John,

Hard to believe four years have passed... we find joy amidst the heartbreak by reflecting on your unique approach to life, especially your dedication to help others. We pray for your comfort and peace and miss you so! 

John, we remember you and miss you. You meant so much to us, something we realize more and more as time passes. I hope your spirit is somehow aware that you are still remembered and loved in this life. Rest in peace and love, forever.

Happy Birthday John, I love you and miss your wise council and gentle loving spirit!

My dearest brother John..
I miss you more as time passes. In memory, we try to honor your wish to be closer as a family but the joy is bittersweet without you. Your wisdom, style, grace and care for others is our beacon of hope...I will love you always and pray God holds you close and comfortably...

John, remembering you with love today. Your memory continues to enrich our lives and reminds us to see the Savior in our fellow humans, especially the poor and suffering. May your soul rejoice and abide in Divine love forever. Happy Birthday!

Another year past...Happy 60th! Rest in His peace and in our love!!! You are in and on my heart, I love you!

John, your loving and generous spirit continues to nurture our better selves. Remembering you with love.

My dearest brother John,

You're in my thoughts and prayers today and always. Miss your loving spirit and wise counsel...Rest peacefully in His arms and our hearts my brother!

John,

Your memory is alive and a source of light and love for us. May you rest eternally in your Heavenly Father's loving embrace.

Today would have been John's 58th birthday. John, you're more alive in my heart than ever. May eternal bliss, Divine peace and perfect wisdom be yours. I remember you with love, especially on this day.

We all face the challenge of finding meaning for our lives. It is so difficult to break out of comfortable patterns, even to move toward greater joy and fulfillment. John's life brought him formidable challenges and he overcame them, all the while carrying his cross. John fashioned an unconventional life whose beauty I did not see until I walked his path these recent days. I am humbled by John's ability to love, even as his days often lacked joy and comfort. I used to pray that he would truly feel the joy of being loved unconditionally by his Savior and that that light would illuminate his heart. Now that he has passed at the all-too-young age of 57, I am confident that his spirit soars on the love of the Divine.

John, I love you. Your life was a greater success than you ever believed. I'm grateful to be your sister and I cherish your memory.

My dearest brother John..

You were an inspiration and lifted everyone more than you ever knew. The humble spirit, kind words and acts of love showed to others while you were suffering greatly is a testament to your Faith. God brought you home early to spare the worst so I cannot selfishly wish that you stayed any longer. My hope and prayer is that you are in His loving arms now and forever.

Psalm 103
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
  so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
  he remembers that we are dust.

15 The life of mortals is like grass,
  they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
  and its place remembers it no more.

I love you, miss you and am so proud and fortunate that you were my brother.