Donation protected
No little boy wants to grow up to be an addict.
Johnny wanted to grow up to serve his country by joining the United States Army, and he wanted to play football. Asthma disqualified him from military service, and the right scouts never caught Johnny at his best, tearing up the gridiron for the Naugatuck Valley RiverDawgs, his infectious grin and boisterous laugh drawing teammates together into an on-the-field commitment and unity that only the best athletes can achieve.
On the surface, Johnny seemed to weather these disappointments well, but like many young people, he covered up his pain with alcohol, heroin, and other drugs. For years he was torn between two poles: trying over and over again to put his life back on that once-promising track but always sinking back into addiction. His parents Jamie and John Esser and brother Hunter helped him as much as they could, and Johnny tried as hard as he was able, but on March 24, 2021, he lost his battle with addiction. This was not the life he wanted, nor the death he deserved.
He leaves behind three sons that he adored: John Robert V (whom he affectionately called "Johnny Five"), Ethan, and Colton, and many bereft family members and friends.
Johnny's family has been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic; Johnny himself was without any funds at the time of his death. Any contributions toward his funeral costs will help his family provide a loving farewell for a young man loved by so many, and with so much left to give.
Johnny wanted to grow up to serve his country by joining the United States Army, and he wanted to play football. Asthma disqualified him from military service, and the right scouts never caught Johnny at his best, tearing up the gridiron for the Naugatuck Valley RiverDawgs, his infectious grin and boisterous laugh drawing teammates together into an on-the-field commitment and unity that only the best athletes can achieve.
On the surface, Johnny seemed to weather these disappointments well, but like many young people, he covered up his pain with alcohol, heroin, and other drugs. For years he was torn between two poles: trying over and over again to put his life back on that once-promising track but always sinking back into addiction. His parents Jamie and John Esser and brother Hunter helped him as much as they could, and Johnny tried as hard as he was able, but on March 24, 2021, he lost his battle with addiction. This was not the life he wanted, nor the death he deserved.
He leaves behind three sons that he adored: John Robert V (whom he affectionately called "Johnny Five"), Ethan, and Colton, and many bereft family members and friends.
Johnny's family has been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic; Johnny himself was without any funds at the time of his death. Any contributions toward his funeral costs will help his family provide a loving farewell for a young man loved by so many, and with so much left to give.
Organizer
Jill Silos-Rooney
Organizer
Haverhill, MA