John Raposo - June 18

A year ago today I received the news that you had been taken away.  Sadness overwhelmed and took over. An unbearable experience that no one should ever have to endure and one that will be with me for all my days. That day and the decisions others made forever changed EVERYTHING!

______________________

You were such a strong individual with a biggest heart who lived life to its fullest in every way.  You taught me many lessons including; the art of conversation, to make everyone whom I speak with feel important, to stop and help others always, and most of all to stand up for what is right and just even when no one else has the courage to speak up. You had all these qualities that made you so amazing and well loved.

I miss you, your smile, your energy and your love of life. 

Wishing you were here XOXO

 

 

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 - 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/