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.