On April 6, 2026, we lost our captain and dear friend, James “Festa” Paige.

Festa had a truly kind soul and was the funniest guy in any room he walked into. He always put everyone else first and would go to the outer limits to make sure you were comfortable, well fed, and having a good time. His razor-sharp wit and relentlessly positive outlook were the hallmarks of his larger than life personality. Whether you knew him for five minutes or five years, he left an impression that would last a lifetime.

Festa loved music, comedy, and animals as much as he loved helping people. His sudden absence has left a black hole in our hearts that can never truly be filled.

We are devastated by this loss and are now faced with the difficult task of arranging a proper farewell that honors the beautiful life he lived, in the way he would have wanted. Our goal is to get his affairs in order so we can focus on celebrating Festa without the added burden of financial stress.

We’ve set a goal of $10,000 to cover the funeral and memorial expenses. Any amount you can contribute, no matter how small, will make a real difference and help us give our friend the respectful send-off he deserves. If we raise more than needed, the extra funds will go toward his Celebration of Life (date and location to be announced soon).

We are so grateful for any support, whether through a donation, by sharing this page, or simply by keeping Festa in your thoughts. Your kindness during this incredibly difficult time helps us feel less alone and ensures our captain is remembered with the same love and warmth he always shared with all of us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Timmy “Tonzo” Sutton

On behalf of Festa’s friends