Kyle Ballard remembers Joey

Joey, you are like a role model to me. I always look up to you. One memory I will always have is a couple of years ago, both of our parents went out for the night, and you were babysitting me, Lauren, Michelle, and Virginia at my house. My mom had gotten us a pizza to make. And after we all ate, the girls went to Lauren's room to watch movies, or whatever, and you went with me to play video games in my room. I remember we were playing Mario Kart and you kept beating me, and you kept on encouraging me to do better. I still remember you saying, "come on Kyle, you can do it, try to beat me." And then I beat him, but I think he let me, just to make me happy. It was a fun night, and I will never forget it. I miss ya JOEY,
your friend KYLE.

Scott Birmingham remembers Joey

Joey-
Well I've known joey ever since he and his family moved out to our lil' country side. When I first met Joey it was through Levi and Britanny and they were just riding bikes around...and as time passed we became pretty good friends in elementary school and some middle school...we always rode bikes around and didn't have a care to life. Joey was a great guy that always seem to live life to the fullest, even when we starting parting ways with who we were hanging out with we would say hi to each other and wave whenever we had the chance. Joey was someone that was always able to make friends. He seemed to have a soft side to his heart that he did show and anyone that knew him knows what I'm talking about. I'll always remember Joey from way back in the day during 4th and 5th grade always playing sports against the younger grade and the bus rides home. and I hope that his family knows he will always be in my prayers and heart...luv ya man

Scott Birmingham

Claudia Alves remembers Joey

I think the first time I met Joey was when he came with Blake and Laken to pick up our daughter, Emily to go snowboarding. Blake always, very politely came to the door to get her and help her carry her things. I, being the worrisome mother went out to remind Joey that he had Emily with him and to drive careful and get her back home safely. He was always very polite and assured me he would do just that. For some reason I always felt she would be safe driving up there with him. The times Joey came to our house he was always very friendly and very polite. Joey had a way of making both of our daughters feel very special (as he did for everyone). With Emily he was always a very good listener but also had to add in his own opinion too. She knew she would always be able to count on him for anything. With Carly, I remember her being very proud to know him when she was just a freshman and know that he always "had her back". She felt very special when Joey and Blake said "they would kick any guy's ass if he broke her heart!" Even though we all knew that Joey was way too nice of a guy to hurt anyone, it made Carly feel very special. I shared a special memory of Joey at his Rosary but I would like to share it again. It was a typical Sunday morning when my daughters and I went to church... not something they ever got up eagerly willing to do. The Pinasco family came in and had to split up. Emily was happy that her friend Joey decided to join us. I don't think they listened to the "homily" much, just visited quietly between themselves. When it came to the end of the "Lords prayer" we held hands and Joey squeezed Emily's hand tightly and raised it high to the ceiling, finishing the prayer with her. Emily being kind of reserved was totally embarrassed as Joey smiled and loved every second of her humiliation. The world was a better place with Joey in it, and I am so very sorry for everyone's loss. When I found out about this devastating tragedy I immediately added Joey and all the Pinasco's to my daily prayers. I hope in some little way it helps. Try to grab strength from his memory. He is all around us, whether it is in a dream, a tomato, a butterfly, clouds, ocean... wherever you see the beauty of nature he is there with us reminding everyone to live each day to the fullest for him.

Katie Sheep remembers Joey

Joey,
At times like this I never know what to say and always seem to say the wrong thing. I guess the most important thing to say is that I love you and will always miss you!

Looking back it makes me think of all the memories, whether we were 11 or 21, there are so many to choose from. We all grew up together. Just thinking about the middle school relationships, 8th grade drama performances, school dances, basketball games, weekend parties while the parents were away, cheering for you and the other boys at your baseball games, the bus ride down to Disneyland, the night before, the day of and the day after graduation, park fete, Halloween, and all the other fun times make me miss you. It makes me think of how many more we could have shared.

Throughout the years you have always been an amazing friend. We would always have our "talks". I think they started in middle school and then continued in high school when we would walk back from lunch talking about any news or drama we needed to catch up on. I still remember one day where you just looked at me and said, “Katie, it’s time for a Joey and Katie talk.” Even after high school you were one of the only people I kept in touch with. I would get so excited when I was down in Huntington and I would still get phone calls from you and we would be able to catch up on everything like nothing changed.

We didn’t get as many opportunities to see each other the last couple years but the times we did were always fun. It was always a good time with you. I loved that we could talk and stay close throughout the years. You were such a special person and one of the best guys I knew, I now that sounds lame but it’s true. There was no one like you. You could always put a smile on everyone’s face, especially mine and had a way of making everyone feel like they were special to you.

I still remember how special I felt when you would call and take me to lunch or invite me out for your birthday dinner at Stockton Joe’s (and of course you would never let me pay). That was just how you were, very traditional. You learned that from your parents. You really looked up to them and idolized the life they have together. It made you the person you were. You were sincere, respectful, loving, caring, considerate, honest, and really just a genuinely good person.

You were always the life of the party and I could never get mad at you. Even when you would do something I didn’t necessarily love, I would just have to laugh and say, “come on it’s Joey”, because it was. You had a way of making everyone fall in love with you. You had such an impact on so many people’s lives. The lives you touched will always be better for knowing you, and we are all lucky to say we did. I know I will never forget you or the memories we had together.

Love you always,

Katie Sheep

Michelle remembers her brother Joey

Joey wasn't just my brother or my friend, he was my hero and my role model. I was constantly looking up to him on how cool he was with all the friends he had and how many people he knew. He was just a normal big brother who would pick on me, not even let me talk to a boy he was very protective mostly over me, because I am the one who is just like him very social, outgoing, kinda rebelious and so he knew how I was and would just sometimes worry about me. We didn't always get along ,but we knew we loved each other. I remember it was the third day of my eigth grade year and there was this boy in my class that I liked and I was "going out" with him (and you would just hold hands and give hugs goodbye) but I came home and went in the living room where my brother was laying and he knew everything and I never had any idea how but, anyways he was like "third day of school and you already have a boyfriend?" He would always be on me about boys and would tell my mom "Don't let her go there, I never was allowed to do that at her age and I was always like "shut up joey you dont know uggggh" but I look back and think he was just trying to protect me and now am so thankful he was like that. And I would never do anything to let my brother down or that he wouldnt approve of...just as if he was still here.

As we were younger I was more close with my brother because believe it or not I was actually suppose to be a boy and when I came out a girl as of what I hear he was a tad bit upset. It didn't really matter because I was pretty much a tom boy and so I was like another boy in the family so we were pretty close and got along real well and I was always his little sister. But as time went on I started to grow up and my brother felt that his job was to start being the BIG brother and always waiting for those punks who messed with "Joey P's" little sisters so he could go beat them up. I just miss how he would say "whos the guy?"

It was a couple years ago on christmas break when I went for my first snowboarding trip and my brother, Adri and Virginia my two sisters, John my brother in law and one of his lady friends (because he had so many of them) all went. So we get up to the top of the cliff and I was ready to get up and go and I was like "Joey I don't know how to do this" he responded "just go!" so he shoved me down the moutain and I'm going so fast not knowing how to stop or how to even ride a board so I end up running into a tree. All these people were like"oh my gosh did you just see that boy shove that girl down the moutain?" So he felt kinda bad and was like get up I'll teach you how. He stayed with me the whole day and I am glad to say that my brother took me and taught me how to snowboard.

In the summer my brother was dating my best friend's sister, Mallory and I just remember it was the day of park fete and I asked if he could take me because the rest of the family wasn't going till later. So we are driving and I was like "oh by the way can you run by and pick up Kyle (Mallorys brother)?" And I remember him getting this big smile on his face and saying "yeah I guess" So nosey me, I saw Joey texting Mallory telling her "yeah I'm picking up your brother you should come and say hi" So we pull up to the house and Mallory and her little brother Kyle come out and Kyle hops in and when Mallory and Joey are done talking we leave and Kyle says "so you've been talking to my sister alot lately?" Joey responded "yeah she is a pretty cool girl haha" We get to park fete and Kyle gets out of the car and Joey grabs my arm and says "hey does Kyle like me..you know does he think I'm cool?" I replied yes Joey don't worry. Me and Kyle thought it was so funny that our siblings were dating and we would always tell each other stuff we heard from both of them then report back to each other. It wasn't just a Mallory and Joey relationship it was more like a Joey, Mallory, Kyle and Michelle relationship because we knew everything that was going on in the relationship and I think they got annoyed with us sometimes but thats what brothers and sisters do. haha

It was about a week before this terrible tragedy happened. I was at my friend Kyle's house making stuff for our first high school rally and Joey was picking me up. I get in the car and we say hi and stuff then it gets kinda quiet so Joey says "why don't you ever talk to me your always mad at me?" and all I say is "Joey be quiet" so he just turns on the music and we get home and he tells my mom that I was being rude and so we just all start fighting then I go to bed and wake up the next morning on a Saturday and my mom comes in my room and says "Michelle you and Joey are going to a Giants game together." We both were so mad. So we go and we were ok not fighting and the day was going really good and I was just so happy that my mom made us go to that game together because me and my brother never really did anything just us two. All I could remember was the entire way there we literally listened to the Kid Rock cd at least 4 times with the windows down. I loved it. Well when the game was over we went in front of the field and took one picture the whole day of just us two. I am so blessed to have that one picture to remind me of that wonderful day me and my brother had together That was probably the last time me and Joey actually got to talk and hang out just us two.

The last time I saw Joey was Saturday afternoon he came into my room as I was getting ready to hang out with my friends and as always says, "where do you think your going tonight?" And I was like "ugggh Joey to my friends house" then he was like "ok..don't do anything stupid" I said back to him "Joey I'm a smart girl I know", but as he walked out the door he said "I know. You were just like me, you know I love you" He left after that and that was the last time I spoke to my brother I'm so blessed to have those as his last words to me. This has been the worst thing that has ever happened to me and my family. There isn't one minute that goes by that I don't think about Joey. It just keeps going through my head "Why him, why our family what did we ever do to deserve this?" Our family will never have a normal holiday, dinner or family get together without my brother, this has changed our lives forever, we will never be the same people. I have lost so much respect for policemen they're supposed to be saving this world, but instead they're going out murdering pure innocent people not just to my brother but to other Americans its all over the news. But he is still here with us and he will give us little signs that he's here with us and that he's ok and everythings going to be alright. I have myself, had many dreams and signs that I know for a fact it's my brother trying to speak to me and to others. We just all need to fight for my brother 'til the end, till we get justice. I miss you so much please continue to give us signs that you're here. There will never go a day where I dont think about you. You will never be forgotten you touched so many peoples lifes in so many ways. You will and forever be my big brother. You will always be remembered as Joey P. (Mr. Goodtime) You're a Legend now.
Love forever and always your little sister,
Michelle

Alana Ghilotti remembers Joey

Joey, the first time I met you was at your sisters wedding. My sister, Alyssa, “booty bumped” every other girl till she could shove me in your face on the dance floor and you took the bait. We danced the whole night, and then you dropped me flat on the floor, mid dip. (My body hurt so badly the next day!) It was a hilarious moment which I’ll never forget, but hope few people witnessed. You spent the rest of the night apologizing, proposing and attempting to convince me that kissing you was a great idea. Well, I did forgive you, but I didn’t say yes to either of the other questions. At the time I had no idea that I wasn’t the first girl you’d proposed to nor would I be the last. (Based on the other blogs I’ve read.) When I awoke the next day I had a slew of voice and text messages from you. You had an undeniable charm which few guys could pull off while yelling at a lady to get their butt to the bar. Let’s just say I was intrigued.

For the next few months we “text flirted” quite a bit and occasionally talked on the phone. You were always trying to convince me that you were the good guy and not the “player” which I thought. Well, once again your secrets were revealed and Joey, yes you were quite the player, and a darn good one. But no one would have wanted it any other way.

I talked to you the night you died. It was the evening of my sister’s house warming party and Adri was there. We talked briefly about you, and it had been a while since I had heard from you. So I decided to initiate a text message conversation. We joked, chatted and flirted as always. I asked you if you missed me and your reply was “Yes, of course.” You then asked if I missed you. In my ever present sarcastic and guarded nature I said, “No.” I still struggle to deal with that. That was the last thing I ever said to you.

Joey, I do miss you. I think about you all the time. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry but your there. There are many things which I regret in our brief relationship. I should have always said yes. So, Yes Joey I will kiss you. Yes Joey, I will marry you. And Yes Joey, I do miss you.

Laken remembers Joey

Joey and I met in high school when I was a sophomore and he was a junior. I have so many memories of Joey I don’t even know where to start. They range from San Francisco, my cabin in Santa Cruz, all the weddings we went to together, fishing trips, snowboarding at dodge and bear valley, formals and proms, family gatherings, Giants games, to the first time I ever went to the fair, and I know I didn’t even name half of them. He was more than just my boyfriend for a couple years; he was one of my best friends for years after that. We would talk about anything and everything from our families, our friends, our jobs, to whoever we were dating at the time. His personality and heart were like no other.

We started dating on December 2, 2003 and his other boyfriend, Blake, and my best friend, Emily, started dating on December 4, 2003. Us four did pretty much everything together for the next two years. Almost every weekend Joey would drive my suburban and we would all go snowboarding up at Dodge. He LOVED to embarrass Emily and me by turning up the system as loud as it would go with all windows down and playing RUCA by Sublime. I would duck down in my seat. The first time he took me snowboarding he took me on the frontside on that run that has the little curve. He rode the lift up there with me and I totally ate it getting off and pulled him down with me. I was so mad because then he left me with Emily who wouldn’t even teach me. I was done after a half day and he learned not to leave me and started making snowboarding trips for just the two of us. ha-ha. The trips didn’t last though, I always ended up with Emily and he always ended up with Blake.

My family tried to throw me a surprise birthday party for my 16th birthday and let’s just say it wasn’t much of a surprise. My mom ruined it by leaving the invitations in her closet and Joey gave it away even more the day of the party. He was driving in his little S10 that I could totally hear on the phone probably going to pick up Blake and he was trying to convince me he was at home. We ended up getting in a little argument because I knew he was lying but he was just trying not to ruin my surprise. Sure enough when I get to my grandma’s house I see Joey, Blake, Emily, Nikki, and Shella. Joey always felt like he had to impress my dad for my dad to like him. We started a game of volleyball with all us volleyball girls on one team plus Joey and Blake, and my family on the other. Joey would not let anyone touch that ball unless it was Blake. It was so funny to watch him try to act like he was the best at volleyball because he was horrible. We were all just laughing at him because he thought he was so good and was trying so hard to impress my dad. He just didn’t know that my dad already liked him. Once we left we had six people in my little maxima car. Joey was driving and he looks at me and goes, “let’s see how fast we can go” No one else liked this idea because we had too many people in the car in the first place. Next thing you know were going 120mph down 28 mile road. He always loved to get a rise out of everyone.

Joey and I had a thing with weddings. Ever since we started dating we went to every family or friend’s wedding together if we were dating or not. The last two we went to together were his cousin Peter’s and my aunt Sharon’s. I was supposed to be his driver at his cousin’s wedding but then his sister Adri and I ended up having way too much fun and Virginia had to drive us home. I just remember the next morning Joey sitting in the kitchen making fun of me, like always, and saying how everyone was mad at me. He loved to get me all scared and then he tells me they’re not mad at me they’re mad at Adri. Ha-ha he always knew how to get to me. The last wedding we went to together was my aunt’s about a month after his cousins. It was in Santa Barbara and he drove down on a Friday night after work. The next day was the wedding and he was so mad at me because his tie was in my Tahoe from his cousin’s wedding and chocolate had melted on it and plus he didn’t have time to iron it. I thought it was funny but he always wanted to look his best and even though I kept telling him he looked fine, for once Joey didn’t say “I know I do” because his tie was wrinkled. He could be so stubborn sometimes. The day of his sister’s wedding I got a text message from him saying, “Laken I’m so upset I can’t stop crying and I don’t know who to talk to”. I remember thinking wow and you text me that. He loves his sisters so much and it made him realize how everyone was growing up. I loved knowing that he knew I was always there for him as I knew he was always there for me.

When my mom called and told me what had happened to Joey I told her she was wrong; she has the wrong Joey. Never in my life did I expect to never be able to talk to him or see him again. He was who I would talk to about all my problems and he would tell me nothing but the truth if I liked it or not. With all of this being my problem, it is so hard not to get his advice. I can always picture his smile and his little smirk he would often make when he would say “I’m Joey P., everybody loves me”. I always used to laugh at him and say “yah okay Joey you think that”. He was right though and he knew it. I will always love Joey just as much as I always have. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and pray for his family. I always think about how myself or someone else could have been able to prevent this from happening but there is nothing I can do about it now but look forward to seeing him again. I pray there will be justice for Joey because he deserves it. I miss you Joey and I will love you forever and always.



Love, your old lady, Laken

The Naraghi's remember Joey

Such a very respectful, nice, and handsome boy. You are so loved and missed by our family. I will never forget all of your and Laken's snowboarding trips. We laugh and talk about our Bear Valley trip that was such a blast and a good time. Not too long ago when you and Blake walked into Hashem's office he thought oh no what happened. Then when he heard you two say we just stopped by to say Hi and see how your family is..... that was the sweetest. He was so touched and so was I when he came home and told me. I only hope my boys turn out to be like Joey. The kids faces would just light up whenever they saw you or even heard your name. Little Meadow, “Joey, Joey, Joey” how she loved you and always talked about you. Until the time comes that we will all see you again our hearts forever hold a special place for you and your family. We love you and miss you dearly.

Love,
Hashem, Cindy, Hashie, Justice, and Meadow Naraghi

Bryan Camara remembers Joey

Joey and I first met playing baseball together in the local pony league. We immediately became friends. We shared the same interests in just about everything in our lives. George Judd, Joey and I were inseparable during baseball season. Georges dad or Joeys mom drove us to all the games, we were more focused on just enjoying our time hanging out then playing baseball.

As the years went on we kinda went are own ways. We were a grade apart so we hung out with our own class. But we always would hangout and talk still. After I graduated joey and i hung out a lot more. We started partying together on a regular basis. We were so excited when I snuck him in the bar for the first time with my fake i.d. We thought we were the coolest, I was 19 joey was 18.

We loved meeting new people together, if we were meeting someone new automatically we would tell them we were brothers. If they didn't believe us..... a big pause, then turn sideways and say "look at the nose" And of course they had no choice to believe us. We have ginormous noses. It adds character, were ok with it.

So many memories together from the booze cruisin' to the fishing to the shooting to the camping. We loved everything that had to do with outdoors. We were just like the song by Alan Jackson "country boys." Joey was always down for anything, no matter what we had on the agenda he was in for sure. Me Joey and Ryan loved to drink Keystone we said it was Escalon's beer. Joey was always proud of where he came from and how he was brought up. We love this town and wanted to raise families here and remain friends for the rest of our what we thought were long lives.

We were so proud that we were young and had our lives in order. Joey, Ryan and myself work hard and were lovin' it. Ryan and I worked together for a crane outfit, and Joey worked for his old man who he idolized. We worked hard and we played hard. That was our motto "Seize the day."

I remember one day at work I had to go to this job site in Stockton. I was there maybe ten minutes, all of a sudden I got hit in the head with a rock ha ha. Luckily I was wearing a hardhat. I look around and i see Joey come out from behind the shitters flipping me off. we both started to laugh and went and hugged and bullshitted for a minute then went about our day. We got a good amount of time together towards the end. One of my friends rented a houseboat this last summer so I invited Joey. We had so much fun together drinking bbq'n just enjoying our time off of work. I had just bought a boat at the time and had all my new fishing tackle in it. I come around the side of the houseboat and Joey and Ryan are fishing for catfish with my very expensive bass rods. I told him you better not break them ya jerk. He swore he wouldn't and I left and came back to see he snapped my rod in half ha ha. I was so mad for about ten minutes but got over it quickly. Joey was the only friend that I've had that I've never argued or fought with for longer then fifteen minutes.

There isn't a day that passes that i don't think about him. I am still in shock over this, our lives have changed dramatically ever since. He is in every song I hear every show I watch and everything I see. I love and miss him more than imaginable. You will always be in our hearts and our thoughts joey, I love you and will never forget you
Bryan Camara

John Lewis remembers his brother-in-law Joey

The first time I met Joey was four and a half years ago when I started dating his older sister Adri. The first time I ate dinner there I felt at home. I remember Virginia would start teasing Michelle, then Joey would say something to Adri, and Adri would say something that would annoy Joey. I would sit there laughing enjoying every moment. They all knew how to push each others buttons. It was the typical sibling love for one another. I ended up eating dinner every Sunday night at the Pinasco's. Joey and I would talk about fishing, hunting, and how much we both loved to gamble. We had a lot in common. I remember many times I went to visit Adri and she didn't see much of me because Joey and I were playing video games. Joey was like my little brother.

A few years later Adri and I got married. I was honored to have Joey in our wedding. He gave a speech and talked about how I would give anyone the shirt off of my back. That meant a lot to me, especially coming from Joey, because I was marrying his older sister. Two months after our wedding I was falling behind at work and Joey asked if I needed any help. I was shorthanded so I said yes. Joey said he had to work the next day but he would come by after work. He showed up and I showed him how to disk the field. I left him to catch up on a few other fields and before I knew it, it was starting to get dark, so I headed home. On my way home I saw lights out in the field. Joey was still out disking at 9:00 PM. on a Saturday night. I called him and told him it was late and he should go home. He asked if I needed him the next day. I told him that it was Sunday and he didn't have to come. Sure enough he worked all day Sunday to get the field done. Joey gave up his whole weekend just to help me. Joey is a true friend and a true brother. I was truly blessed by God to be a part of the Pinasco family. Joe and Toni are amazing parents. They have raised their kids with strong morals and strong Catholic values. They should be proud of the man Joey turned out to be. Joey has the heart of Toni and the strong will of Joe. He was proud to be a Pinasco. He looked up to his parents and always had the up most respect for them.

About a month after Joey was taken from us, I was checking my field of tomatoes that was about to be picked. I did this by cutting them in half to see if they were ready. The very first one I cut seemed to look different than they normally do, so I looked at it a little closer and it was a perfect cross in the center. I cut a few more to see what they looked like, none were anything similar. I took it home that night to show Adri, when I remember what field I was in. It was the field Joey had disked. I knew this was a sign from him that he was ok and in heaven.

I will miss you Joey. I promise to always look after your sisters because I know you would do the same for me. You are an amazing friend and an awesome brother. I also promise that your name will never die in vain. The two Godless, spineless, scum that call themselves peace officers will have their day. A day will come when they will be judged. They will stand before God and answer for what they have done. They will have to answer for the pain and suffering they inflicted, not just on a God fearing family but on a whole community that LOVE Joey P. This shouldn't have happened, especially to Joey and his family. I will continue to fight until there is Justice for Joey. I love you Joey.

John Lewis

Carly Alves remembers Joey

Joey was a senior when I was freshman, and anyone who went to Escalon High knows that as a freshman it is scary to walk down main hall and in between the senior benches. It may have been scary for a week or two but with a friendly face like Joey’s, it didn’t seem all that bad. I first met Joey through Blake, my sister and Laken. For about two years he was around quite often. He had such an outgoing personality and was always so nice to me. He told me once that if any guy ever hurt me to let him know and he would do something about it. Naturally, when that first boy hurt me Joey and Blake were the first people I wanted to tell. They both told me I could do better, but that day at school when I asked Joey what he was going to do, he proudly said that he had given that boy a dirty look. Truth was he was such a friendly guy he didn’t want to hurt anybody. After Joey graduated I didn’t see him all that often. I would occasionally see him driving down my street heading home from Blake’s and he always rolled down his window to wave. Every time I did see him though, he would greet me with a hug and ask how things were going. I was excited to see Joey was at Park Fete this past summer. He was kicking back and having a good time. He always had a smile on his face. We talked for a while and joked about how old he was and that Virginia was already a senior. Luckily for me Virginia and I had became close in P.I.T two years prior. I loved getting to know her better and watching the way she looked up to her older brother. Mr. French would always ask her how Joey was doing and when he was coming in. He was such a well liked guy. Nobody knows why things like this happen and I find myself constantly wondering why him, why this family. The Pinasco's are such an amazing family and my love, thoughts, and prayers are always with them.

Emily Alves remembers Joey

Joey and I became good friends when I was in high school. We were friends on our own because of PIT and became even closer because he dated my best friend and I dated his. For two years Joey, Laken, Blake, and I did everything together. This ranged from Harry Potter and Chevys to Formals and Fair.

Some of my best memories of Joey are from snowboarding at Dodge. We all went almost every weekend. It always involved Joey driving, us getting sandwiches and amps at SaveMart and listening to Sublime on the drive. Joey liked to blare Sublime as we pulled into Dodge and roll down the windows and sing to embarrass me and Laken. He put a scratch in my board before it ever touched snow from dropping it and liked to point out at the end of the day all the new scratches I had given it. Joey was ALWAYS talking about nature when we were on chairlifts. He wanted to know how old all the trees were and imagined everything they had seen in their lives. One weekend we went to Bear Valley with the Naraghis. Joey was on the snowmobile in front of me and he was making it swerve back and forth. I thought it looked cool so I tried and ended up crashing into a tree and a snow bank. I guess that’s what I get for trying to be cool like Joey.

In PIT, Joey and I always talked about our relationships. He would tell me to be nicer to Blake and I would tell him why Laken was mad at him. Joey always told me it didn’t matter what I did, Blake would always like him more than me. I always knew that was true even if I would never admit it to Joey. Joey and Blake had a friendship like no other. They really were “fratellos” from the start. They shared a love of snowboarding, Sublime, Lynryd, and being Italian.
Joey was always trying to make people laugh. We would be in line at a movie or out to dinner and he would randomly accuse Laken of farting. He would do this very loudly so everyone around us would turn around and see who he was talking about. Laken obviously hated when he did this. Another time, the 4 of us went to dinner at Sonic. We were on the way back into town and Blake and I were in our own little world when Joey slammed on the brakes and we went flying. When we asked for an explanation, Joey said there was a cat. From the grin on his face, we all knew there was no cat. Everything that needed an explanation from then on got blamed on “damn cats.” He even tried to make me laugh in church. He sat by me one day and during the Our Father when we slightly lift out hands up, he raised mine as high as my arm would go. I was trying to pull it down but he kept it raised in the air the whole time.

When I was moving away to school, Joey text me to see how I was doing. He asked me if I was planning on joining a sorority. I said I didn’t know and he went on to tell me all about how Adri had been in one, so I would probably like it…A few months later, I joined a sorority. I came home for winter break and was going out to dinner with my sister and Blake when Joey pulled up next to me on First Street. I rolled down my window and Joey came to dinner with us. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t talked in months, it was like no time had passed at all.

This summer was the PIT reunion. I was excited to see Joey there and we got caught up on life. He said he was working and saving up money to buy a house because it was a good time to buy. He said he was going to text me and he did…to ask what Mallory thought about him. I told him she though he was a funny, good looking guy. His response? “Of course she does, everyone already knows that about me.” I saw Joey again at Park Fete and somehow he managed to trip over my foot and spill his entire drink in my hair and all over my face. I wasn’t very happy about it and he kept hugging me until I would tell him it was okay.

I went back to Long Beach a few weeks later and whenever Joey would call Mal, I would always have to say hi. I found it hilarious that he had dated my best friend in high school and was now calling my college roommate. When Toni called Mal to tell her what had happened, we were both in such shock. We ended up sitting on the beach for a long time. On the walk back to out apartment, I noticed a butterfly following us. It was all by itself and followed us the whole way. Since then, there has been numerous times when I have been thinking about Joey and have gone outside to see a butterfly come towards me. It isn’t like there is a butterfly farm outside my apartment; it is always just one butterfly. I like to take it as a sign from Joey that he is okay and for me to calm down. Joey was an amazing friend and I feel blessed that I knew him. I will always remember his smile, his laugh, the way he referred to himself as “Joey P” and him ALWAYS talking about his family. Until we meet again someday, you will always be in my heart my friend.

Jessica Neal remembers Joey

I first met Joey his Freshmen year of high school, and he grew up to be such a handsome nice man. He always knew how to put a smile on my face. He lit up every room he walked into. Quite the ladies man he was. One of my favorite dancing partners as well as everyone else's. I have so many fond memories with him from the beach, fairs, concerts, rodeos, birthdays, dinners, Halloween, singing along to country in his truck, one of the favorites, George Strait. He made us listen to the whole Pepper CD after we just got done watching the Pepper Concert. He even let me drive his truck that he was so proud of. We made it a tradition to celebrate my birthday at fair together, he always made it special. I remember our random conversations about anything and everything, our heart to hearts about the people we like, his funny voice mails, and text messages he would leave me. He told me he was crazy about brunettes that blondes were not really his type. But I do recall him dating a couple of blondes, and he always told me that I didn’t count because I was a dirty blonde. Joey always had such away with words and making girls feel special even if you were just his friend. Our road trip to Santa Cruz was great fun. I was so excited to be going. After a long night out on Sat. I was for sure he wasn’t going to make it to the beach the next day, but believe it or not he did. I packed him lunch, but little did I know he wasn’t a big fan of wheat bread, but he ate it anyway. I was excited for him to meet my mom at the Stockton fair. She knew him from working at the school, but she never got the chance to meet him as my friend. He dropped whatever he was doing at that moment just to go and meet her, and he seemed just as excited as I was. “Jess your mom looks just like you”, he said. When Travis Tritt was playing at the fair Joey and I snuck up to the front stage. We were practically knocking people over just so we could dance, and we were singing along at the top of our lungs the songs we knew. There was one Halloween I will never forget, he went as a Pinasco Plumber. He kept telling me that He was his dad for Halloween Jim Pinasco. I thought that was the cutest thing ever because you could tell he was proud to be a Pinasco. Joey was so proud of his family. He loved them so much, he was always talking about his sisters or hanging out with his cousin Matt. What I loved the most about him , he was a family man, and that’s the most important thing to me. Joey was always the first person I would call if I ever needed anything or just someone to go out and have a good time with because that’s what he was Mr. Goodtime. I am never going to forget all the special memories, or find a better friend. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. Joey touched so many hearts. Escalon will never be the same without him. Love you will all my heart, Joey P.
Love always,

Jessica Neal

Austin Jackson remembers Joey

I would always ask Virginia,"Is your brother home?" every time I went over to the Pinasco family home. I wish that I could have gotten to know Joey more. I would always try and buy sick shirts that I thought Joey would think looked good. I tried to impress him as much as possible. I would try and make small talk with him or shake his hand whenever I would see him. There is one memory that I will always have with Joey. It was over summer. Toni and Joe we gone to Tahoe and I was over at their house with Virginia and Tera. Virginia was getting stuff because she was staying the night in town. Joey, Blake, and Trevor were all out in the front room playing video games. Joey just got Madden 09 and they we just kicking back playing it. Well I finally got the guts to go out and sit and watch them play. Then Joey asked me if I wanted to play and so of course I said yea. It was pretty fun kicking it with him and his friends, the whole time I was just thinking to myself, Man maybe Joey likes me. I will always cherish this memory of hanging out with Joey. I respected and looked up to him so much.

Virginia remember her brother Joey

My brother is and will forever be my hero. My brother is just like any brother, he picked on me, played dumb tricks on me and always, ALWAYS looked out for me. He's the type where if I came home crying he'd say, who am I beating up now? He always had his eye on me. He's my big brother and would do anything for me. Recently we would talk more about things, because I was getting older and we could relate more. I miss him coming in my room and laying on my bed and just talking to me about things. I am so proud to say my brother is Joey P. and yes I am using present tense. I hate it how people say oh, you had a brother. NO. I HAVE a brother and will always HAVE a brother. There are four kids in my family and that will never change. No one can replace him and I think about Joey every minute of every day. My family's lives are forever changed. The assholes who did this I hope feel pain. We lost someone who meant so much to an unimaginative amount of people. This isn't fair and my brother needs justice. I can no longer watch violent movies because of what happened. My thoughts of everything are incessant. He didn't deserve this, he was such a wonderful person and did nothing wrong. I think every day,"why couldn't it have been me?" But with all of the sorrow in my life I have no doubt in my mind that he is in heaven watching over all of us and not wanting us to be sad. It is just hard. I constantly find myself calling my brother's voicemail just to hear his voice. Over and over. I love him more then words can express and will always miss him and his gorgeous smile.

When my brother was taken from us I had a very detailed dream about a month later that felt so real. It started out with me walking down the hallway and I see my brother Joey hugging my family members as if he was visiting us. So I walked up and my brother greets me so happily. He hugged and kissed me and said. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Stop worrying about things. Life's too short." I just smiled and then asked, "so how is it up there?(heaven)" and he replied,"it's so pretty, it's really bright and colorful. I get to fly around (and he flapped his arms as if impersonating his wings) and said, "yeah I get to fly around and I live in this HUGE white house," and Adri, my sister, asked,"whiter then my house in Stockton?" Joey said,"yes waaaay whiter." Then we all sat down at the kitchen table and Austin was in a bar stool and Joey turns to him and puts out his hand for Austin to shake and says,"Thank you." To me, I'm pretty positive he meant thank you for being there for my sister. Which was sweet. Then Joey got up as if it was time to leave and go back to Heaven. So he hugged and kissed each of us and kept saying,"don't worry." That concluded my dream.

I feel I had this dream for a reason. The night before I had this dream I had a horrible day. I wasn't doing too great in golf and I was under so much pressure to do good and I wanted to make all league for my brother. So I was stressing out for not doing well. Then I had this dream and I felt a sense of reassurance. He told me not to worry about things and he said life is too short. After that dream I played the game of golf because I loved the sport, I tried my best, and gave it my all. This season I did make All League. I did it for my brother. During the summer he really pushed me to practice because he knew I had the potential. I hope he is looking down on me and is proud of my accomplishment. I will miss you and think about you forever Joey Anthony. Protect us down here. I await the day we get to meet again. I Love you.

Love always and forever,
Your Sister Virginia
xoxoxoxoxo

Vanessa Gonzalez remembers Joey

Joey and I went to middle school and high school together, from the 6th grade to the 12th grade. Throughout that time in our lives we naturally got along but what genuinely bonded us was the fact that we both shared such a love and appreciation for our families. Although we made so many memories back in the day, I will never forget summer of 08. It was my first time spending summer at home since high school and it was so crazy seeing and hanging out with everyone once again, especially Joey. We reminisced about how his mom used to make him a bagged lunch everyday and how I used to always steal a bite. She made the BEST turkey sandwiches ever and I was jealous. He even rubbed it in by saying "hey I am 21 years old and she still makes me my lunch everyday before I go to work, and she always will." My little cousin and his little sister were in the same grade, and we could not stop talking about how old they were getting and how weird it was for us because it made US feel so old (even though we CLEARLY weren't).

Being nosey as always, I frequently interrogated him about girls, and he of course always replied saying "we are just friends." I really loved Joey's outlook on life. He was all about living in the "now." One night I will never forget was after a LONG night at Shorty's. He got his tab, and just laughed. I was like "wow, is it that bad?" He just signed it and said "oh well, it happens, now lets go to the VI!" Good times like this make me think of actually being at the VI. I specifically remember all of us girls dancing to Shania Twain's "man I feel like a women," and then looking over to see Joey, the only guy dancing with all of us. And he of course knew all of the words.

Times like this, good times at the houseboat, park fete over the years, and memories from the past are unforgettable moments I will never forget. He posted a picture of me and him at the houseboat with the subtitle saying "Vanessa and me, honestly didn't think I'd see her as much as I did this summer but it was deff. fun," and I couldn't agree with him more.

Joey, you have done so much for us all us, and I will forever treasure what you have done for me as a friend. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the good times. Your memory will forever remain in my heart.

LOVE you. -Vanessa

Johnny Norton remembers Joey

It's interesting how passing comments, simple gestures, and friendly smiles can stick with someone over the years.

I had the opportunity to grow up with Joey in our little town of Escalon, and played with him on a few baseball teams as kids. When first learning the game of baseball, I played in the Babe Ruth league and faced Joey a few times while he was on the mound and I have to give it to him...he threw some heat when he cranked it back! On the Escalon High baseball team a few years later, not much changed...Joey was still better at baseball than I was, wore his hat a little to the side that I couldn't quite pull off, but there was something different about him that I didn't notice before: his humor! Joey had a knack at jokes, story telling, livening situations, and the ability to turn the most "serious" sporting scenarios into laughter when the coach wasn't looking.

You don't come across unique individuals like Joey everyday--they are few and far between--and when you do, you make sure to become their friends.

I'll miss you buddy.