This page started out as a little suprise for John to show him how much I loved and cared about him.
Now it is forever dedicated to a wonderful person whom I was lucky enough to have in my life, if only for a short time:
John N. Giunta ~ RIP January 19th, 2000, 4:30 am
Boland Hall Fire @ Seton Hall University, South Orange NJ
Even though I only knew him closely for a year and a half, I got to know John better than most, excluding close friends and family. John N. Giunta was born on May 21st, 1981, the second child of 5. Well known for his online use of :-0, John could always find a way to make you laugh, be it through sarcastic insults or just plain being goofy. In HS, he played the trumpet in the VHS band, was on the debate team and ran track. After HS, he attended Seton Hall University, studying Elementary Education to be a 3rd grade teacher. I know he would have been a wonderful teacher - he loved kids and worked well with them. His patience with them was remarkable. He always found time to help others. When around his friends, he was very playful, had a great sense of humor and enjoyed shows like The Simpsons. He was true to his friends and always found some little way to show he cared. He was sweet, honest, charming, understanding, intelligent, handsome, and always a perfect gentleman. He was close to and always looked out for his 4 siblings and valued family very much. He taught me so much about myself and how to interact with others. I'll never forget what he has taught and done for me. I am forever grateful because he changed my life by opening my eyes to so many new things.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
John N. Giunta Scholarship Fund
c/o Peter Giunta
2389 Sanford Drive
Vineland NJ 08361.
~ If tears could build a stairway, and memories were a lane, I would walk right up to heaven, to bring you home again.
Not to put words in anyones mouth, but this poem seems like it's coming straight from John to all of us dear to him...
A little John humor for you :)
At first, I didn't get what he was doing in this picture. I thought he just didn't want to smile, but he explained that he was pretending that I was sticking him with the pin. I can be slow sometimes.
John and I before John's Senior Prom, May 20th, 1999
John and his best friend Tom, posing before their senior prom
No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know. ~ Unknown
John and I after John's high school graduation
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
and took me by the hand.
The angel said my place was ready
in heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized
that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me
from His great golden throne,
He said "This is eternity
and all I've promised you.
Today for life on earth is past
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow
but today will always last,
And since each day is the same day
there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things
you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
and share my life with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
For everytime you think of me,
I'm right here in your heart.
John and I in front of a fountain in Boston, Mass. I'll never forget that trip...
Jenn and John after the Boston Tea Party
John and I on the bus in Boston, Mass
John and his USS Constitution hat
"I'm gonna love you til the Heavens start the rain...I'm gonna love you til the stars fall from the sky, oh You and I...
Come on, come on, come on, come on now, Touch Me baby."
John loved this song, always made me play it, and would do this funny little dance to it...of course it doesn't compare to the Robot, but really what does?
Tom and John on the bus before a band performance
My Way by Frank Sinatra
I feel this song is very appropriate, being it was one of John's favorites...
and John always did do things "His Way."
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
