As Johnny’s sister, Krystal, said
the night the angels came for him,
mommy, he died on a day that rarely exists,
February 29, 2008,
therefore, you cannot mourn for him
every year, even in death he was unselfish.
Surrounded by a circle of love,
we gently and lovingly whispered,
Fly Angel Boy, Fly.
From the depths of my heart
and the hearts of Johnny’s sister Krystal,
his very special buddy Wade,
Johnny’s grandparents Leo & Sara Fitzpatrick,
Norma, Rick, Angie, Lester
and all my brothers, sisters & in-laws,
who were a constant presence at the funeral home
and Wade’s family, in Edmonton, who also dearly loved Johnny,
we gratefully say thank you to each and every person
who reached out in love to celebrate the
unbelievable impact Johnny made on all our lives
and the world.
Every hug, smile, nod & tear shed gave us strength.
To the over 430 people who visited Carnell’s to pay their respects,
those who brought food, flowers & donations in Johnny’s name.
To all who visited online and to all Johnny’s sister's friends
who reached out and showed their love,
especially Melissa Gaulton & Susan O’Rielly, thank you.
To the nurses of The Janeway who, with great compassion,
cared for Johnny and also his mommy, thank you.
To Bert Sheppard, of the plaster room in orthopedics,
thank you for showing such care and concern
each time I called these past couple of months.
To the Doctors who looked at my Johnny and saw
a mother’s child before they saw a disabilty, thank you.
Especially Drs. Wayne Button, P. Kamra, D.Buckley,
M.Noseworthy, V Sahajpal, & G. Smith. thank you.
To Dr. David Price, you are my hero, thank you.
I pray, sadly, when needed, children everywhere
and their parents will be blessed with a Dr. David Price.
Thank you, thank you.
To my sister Ellie and brother-in law Steve
who came from Ottawa and Lester, Johnny’s third
mommie’s husband, who came from Yellowknife,
thank you for travelling the miles to be here.
To Lorraine Angelopoulos & Patricia Mercer
who gracefully read for Johnny at Carnell’s, thank you.
To Johnny’s cousins, Krysta Fitzpatrick & Angela Courage
and to Clare Thorne, who also loved and cared for Johnny
for 13 years at St. Matthew’s School,
thank you each for reading at Johnny’s Mass Service.
To the pallbearers, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Rick West, Doug Merner,
Lester Hynes, Shane Collins & Zachary McNeil,
thank you each for carrying our boy.
To Noreen Green-Fraize, Lara Fraize, Kallie Fraize & Alana Fraize,
it was as if the clouds moved and angels dropped from Heaven,
thank you for singing for Johnny.
To Johnny’s classmates, his best friends,
Melissa Dawe, Missy Follett & Jamie Stoyles,
thank you for carrying the gifts for his service.
To the social workers throughout the years
who have been an unbelievable source of support and strength,
especially, Aisling Neville, Christine O’Rielly
& Stephanie Fleming, thank you.
To all the children of St. Matthew’s School,
each and every card you sent to show your love for Johnny
and his family mean the world to us.
To Father Keith Goldrup, thank you for choosing
the perfect gospel to celebrate Johnny’s journey.
To all the staff at Carnell’s, we feel like you are
now part of our family, your professionalism & empathy
are imprinted in our hearts, thank you.
Like feathers floating from the sky,
I watched those beautiful eyelashes
close for the last time.
Love & God Bless you all,
Johnny’s mommy Colleen,
his sister Krystal,
his very special buddy Wade,
mommy #2 Norma (Rick),
mommy # 3Angie (Lester)
and the Fitzpatrick & Marusiak families.
Until we are together again.
