Jackie Rodriguez remembers Joey

A day doesn't go by where I don't think of Joey. I think all the time of that night, things could have been different, he could have just went home. Since I was leaving the next day to Europe he wanted to come say goodbye. I remember word for word the last text he sent, "okay have to drop a friend off, be there in 20 min, will you be up?" I wish things could have been different. He was too young, my heart is broken, and I feel for the Pinasco family.

I couldn't believe the next day, I was just with him the night before, I still can't believe it. It all seems surreal to me that this all happened. I am here, in Madrid, Spain, and was not able to attend the rosary, funeral, or candlelight vigil, It just still seems surreal. I think about him everyday, I look up to the heavens and know he is down watching over all of us, getting us through this tough time. Be our strength Joey, for all your friends and family who miss and love you so deeply, Our guardian angel.

I saw him the Friday night before and it was way random, I was so happy to see him and I just kept hugging him. He was so happy for me, studying abroad. We caught up like I was never away at college. Joey was always so caring for his friends always smiling, always so happy for them doing good things in life.

The night before, Saturday, we were having a funny conversation about how I am studying abroad in Europe and was going to find my prince here and become a princess, and he said nope "Jackie in 5 years I am going to make you a Pinasco!" and I said laughing, "Okay Joey I'll become a Pinasco!" Fun times. It all started in sixth grade, I remember little Joey when I was in eighth grade and he had a crush on me, it was so cute. And I always had a crush on him too. He told me that night I had always been his 'forever crush.'

My thoughts and prayers are with the Pinasco family, such a great family and such a horrible thing that happened, they do not deserve this. Justice for Joey! I love u Joey and miss you. Only God knows why the best ones are taken away so early, so young. Pinasco family you are in my prayers, everyday.

Love,
Jackie Rodriguez

Dusti Weston remembers Joey

I remember the first time I saw Joey, Mr. Oliveira's class my freshman year and his sophomore year and I remember instantly thinking oh my gosh he is the hottest guy ever, haha, of course coming from a freshman it meant a lot. That year in class Joey and I became pretty good friends and that crush went away and I saw Joey as an older brother who would always give me a hard time and tell me how much of a blonde I was for asking that question. Throughout high school Joey and I didn't have many other classes together but would always run into each other at some point in time and laugh about the stupid stuff I said in class. As we both got older we would see each other at parties and I remember Joey as the boy every girl would rush up too and give the biggest hug to him and just laugh at him the whole night from one of the funny things he would be doing that night. Everyone loved him. When my best friend Liz called me that Sunday afternoon to tell me what had happened I was shocked, I had so many questions that nobody could answer at the time. Still to this day I have so many questions, I don't know why God decided to take Joey from us so early but he is up in heaven looking down on all of us and smiling like always. I miss Joey everyday and will never take off my "Justice For Joey" wristband until the day the Pinasco family and friends get justice. I love you Joey and miss you everyday.... if Joey were reading this he would laugh and say what he told me almost everyday in class...."Dude Dusti seriously are you really that blonde. Ahhhh you know i love yaa." love you to Joey. Keep us safe and watch over your family.

Jackie "Polly" Kaufman remembers Joey

I wanted to write a little something, to let Joe, Toni, Adri, Virgina and Michelle know how sorry I am for them losing such a wonderful son and brother. When I see them now, I am at a loss for words, because I know that nothing I can say or do will make this tragedy go away.

When my brother John started dating Adri, I was so excited that he had met such a happy and beautiful girl. Then as time went on I had they pleasure of meeting her family. They are such great people. Joe and Toni have raised the kindest and most polite kids. Their family bond is amazing, they do everything together. Being an older sister, I always want the best for my little brother, "John Boy" and I was so happy that he married into Adri's family. He now had little sisters and a little brother. You all took John in as part of your family, and I thank you for that.

I had only know Joey for a short time, but he made such a lasting impression on me. Joey always had a smile on his face and he was so kind to my son Spencer. Joey was always so polite and you could just see how much he loved his family. I don't know how to put it in words how awful I feel for Adri, John, Joe, Toni, Virginia and Michelle. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

Love and Prayers,

Jackie "Polly" Kaufman

Donna B remembers Joey

This is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do...Its hard to think about it, but when the pain is so deep that it takes your breath away,it becomes ALL you think about.

The only way to breathe again is to hold tight to the memories. Memories are like Gold, treasures for your heart to hold. I feel so blessed and lucky to have the memories Joey left in my heart.

We loved Joey Pinasco! He had been a welcome addition to our extended family. Joey and Blake had been almost joined at the hip the past 5 years, and to our youngest son Trey, Joey was like a second big brother, The genuine bond they shared was real.

I miss his wonderful smile,
his hearty laughter,
his humor,
his healthy appetite,
I even miss pickin' up and throwin' away his "spitters"

But, most of all....I miss seeing him tiptoe out my front door on Sunday mornin' in his stockin' feet, headed home, so he could attend church with his family.

Joe and Toni, Adri and John, Virginia, and Michelle... when Joey talked about his family, his eyes were full of love and pride, after becoming as close to you all as we have since this heart wrenching loss, I realize that Joey was the wonderful person he was, because of you!

I will NEVER forget you Joey P. You were important to me! You are gone and there is an emptiness in our lives.. We won't let anyone forget!

"Roll on, roll on Roller Coaster we're one day older and one step closer.."
Roll on, there's mountains to climb, Roll on we're on borrowed time,
Roll on Roller Coaster...Roll On.............Kid Rock

Love You Joey P.
from
Donna B.

Jim and Crystal Ballard remember Joey

I thought if I waited a while to do this it would be a little bit easier, but I was wrong. Although a month has passed, the pain and sadness that I feel has not lessened.

We met the Pinasco family about 12 years ago, shortly after they moved into their beautiful home. It seemed that we had a lot in common, for it was only 5 months earlier that my family had moved in, one street up. Our husbands both wanted to get our families away from the chaos of Stockton and into some peaceful country living.

Our families’ friendship blossomed over the years and I came to love all of the Pinasco kids as if they were my own. In their younger years Virginia and Michelle were at my house daily playing with my own children, Adri was my babysitter, until she went away to college, and Joey was always a perfect gentleman, even at the age of 9 or 10 when they moved to the Collegeville area. As Joey grew older he became the kind of son that any father would be proud of. He would gladly drop whatever he was doing and run to help anyone in need. I can remember days where he would stop by just to say hello to my husband Jim and see how we all were doing. As Joey grew older it was amazing to see how much he loved his family. He was the kind of big brother any girl would love to have. Boy did he keep a watchful eye on his sisters. Toni would often tell me how Joey was always telling her, “Mom, you can’t let the girls do this and you can’t let them do that and you don’t need to let them go there, you need to keep them home.” He loved his sisters and was always looking out for their best interest. Although I do remember Adri and Joey going at it quite a bit, the love they had for each other still shined through, especially at Adri’s wedding, there was so much love in room and just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.

No parent should ever have to bury a child. It’s every parent’s nightmare and for our dear friends Joe and Toni this very nightmare has come true. My heart breaks for the entire Pinasco family. I think one of the things that hurts me the most, is knowing that there is absolutely nothing I can do to make my friends feel better or ease their pain, even in the slightest bit.

Jim and I send our love and prayers to all of you and we hope that God gives you the strength to hold tight to your faith and fight for Joey. You will always have us right at your side….Justice for Joey!

Love,
Crystal and Jim Ballard