The Meaning of Christmas

The true meaning of Christmas is not the giving or receiving of gifts but the time spent with loved ones.  I can remember Christmas Eve being such a special time for us during our youth, going to midnight mass before coming home to feast on a meal together.  To  our later years when we would gather to wait for the hour of midnight to celebrate in cheer and be the first to say "Merry Christmas" to each other.  It saddens me so much this year that all I could do for you was place a wreath at the place where you took your last breath. It is so disheartening to think you are no longer with us here to share in all the joy and happiness the holiday season is supposed to bring.  For all the Christmas' in the future will not hold the same energy as when you were there to celebrate it with us.  You are greatly missed John.

Flowers for John Raposo

Because you loved flowers

 

John Raposo

There is not a day that goes by that you are not in our thoughts
and in our hearts - you are greatly missed. 

"Mourning is one of the most profound human experiences that it is possible to have... The deep capacity to weep for the loss of a loved one and to continue to treasure the memory of that loss is one of our noblest human traits".-- Shneidman (1980)

College Street, Toronto (Little Italy)

I miss you everyday

It’s been four months since you were taken away from us. Our hearts are heavy with grief and it seems that the pain will never subside.  Words could never describe how each and every day there are reminders of you in this world - you are missed - your smile, your love and your presence.

My Brothers Hands

As my brother and friend you always took care of me and had the wonderful ability to fix anything. I remember when we were in our 20's and at still living at home and I called out to you as a vein in my finger had burst - I was in pain and had no idea what was happening.  You quickly took my hand into yours and massaged my finger outwards, telling me "always do this away from you heart and not towards it" - you didnt stop until I felt better.  Your ability to fix physical objects was more than a talent as when you used your hands to do anything you had the heart to go with it. - I miss you

Just thinking of you

Everyday I think of you, everyday I miss you John.

Photo taken at College Street Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe, Toronto  

John Raposo - Loved flowers

John Raposo loved flowers in life and so when he was taken away from us I showered him with flowers at his funeral, grave site and on College Street to mourn the loss of his life. Thousands of flowers later and all I wish is that he were here he were here to enjoy them.  - I miss you lots John 

John Raposo, a tribute on College Street

Happy Birthday John Raposo

I love you always John Raposo - On July 27 2012 I placed flowers on Montrose and College Street in Toronto, in front of Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe 712 College Street - where my brother took last breath as he was murdered on June 18 2012 - just short of his 36th birthday. He often drank coffee on the patios on College Street, where he would talk, and enjoy the company of friends, acquaintances and strangers - his positive energy, love for life and smile is greatly missed by everyone.

To My Brother John Raposo - Happy Birthday

I was fortunate to be born on my brothers birthday July 27.  He was 2 years old when I arrived and I am certain he never expected such a present.  As children we celebrated our birthdays together and well into our twenties we would have cake with family and celebrate together - sometimes ending up at the same social party.  Every year my brother would say "you were the only gift I ever got that I couldn't return".  

John Raposo - He Could Fix Anything With His Hands

Memories of my brother come to me at the most unexpected moments.   Miles away from Toronto as I walk by a building I notice a BMX bike lying in the grass.  It’s not any different than the one my brother use to have in his early teens.  My brother had spent days stripping the bike down removing every nut and bolt so he could spray paint the frame red and handle bars black.  I loved watching my brother work with his hands from an early age he always enjoyed taking things apart to improve on them.  This BMX bike was no different. He loved riding and stunting on this bike.  While the bike was moving he could stand on the seat with his arms spread apart, he could also spin the back end of the bike while the front wheel remained in place.  Eventually he added pegs onto the back wheel these pegs were used for a second passenger.  I was lucky to have a brother who taught me how to work with my hands and use tools.  Most of all I enjoyed being on the back of his bicycle with my feet on the pegs and my hands on his shoulders as he took me for a ride.   

John Raposo, Toronto, Ontario

John Raposo was born July 27 1976, in Toronto, Ontario. He was a happy, kind and caring person who illuminated any room he entered.  Those who knew John Raposo personally had the honor of making a connection with a person who lived and loved life.  Being a friend of John meant you had a friend always.

My brother John was always put others before himself.  The story below was published in The Toronto Star newspaper on June 25 2012, one week after his murder.  This story represented not only the loss of my brother but the loss of someone in the world who in any situation always put others before himself.  I miss him lots and there will never be anyone in the world who can take his place.  Ice cream will never taste the same. 

John Raposo is laid to rest and Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe re-opens

Sicilian Cafe in #LittleItaly #Toronto back to business after shooting #NFTN instagr.am

by MarkMcAllGlobal via twitter6/22/2012 3:40:47 PMJune 22 at 11:40 AM

On the morning of June 22 2012 my brother John Raposo was being laid to rest while the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe decided to re-open its doors.

Since his murder flowers, candles and notes have been placed near the Sicilian Cafe on College Street as a symbol of love and devotion to my brother. It is said that the soul remains on Earth for forty days after death; the 40th day marks the ascent of the soul into heaven.

According to this it will be July 27 - which we share as a birthday.

To my brother John Raposo who often enjoyed laughing and smiling.

I love you always.

Police arrest man in fatal Little Italy shooting - John Raposo - Sicilian Cafe, College Street

Torstar News Service Flowers are seen outside the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe in Little Italy where John Raposo, 35, was gunned down Monday.

http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/272713/police-arrest-man-believed-to-be-suspect-in-little-italy-shooting/

A Bouquet of Flowers for my Brother John Raposo

A bouquet of flowers outside the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe on College St. at Montrose Ave. where a man was shot and killed Monday. (Ian Robertson)


An envelope inscribed to “John” lay beneath a bouquet of white roses. A small bouquet was accompanied by a hand-written note inscribed with a drawn heart and text that read, "For Johnny. Rest in peace."

John Raposo - National Post flowers placed at the scene

Darren Calabrese/National Post
Flowers placed at the scene of the fatal shooting in Little Italy lay on the ground in front of the Sicilian Sidewalk Café in Toronto Tuesday.

"A single bouquet of flowers sits on the ground of the café’s patio, covering the faint bloodstain where Mr. Raposo was shot."

http://www.torontoupdate.com/2012/06/cafe-owners-determined-not-to-let-little-italy-shooting-keep-people-away-from-this-unique-part-of-toronto/