In Loving Memory of My Friend, Michael A. Viera

It’s hard to find the right words right now. On Friday, October 31st, 2025, I lost one of my best friends — Michael A. Viera, 45, of Johnston. Mike was one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine people I’ve ever known. He had a heart of gold, a quick wit, and a calm presence that made everyone around him feel at ease.

We shared so many great memories — laughs, trips, late nights, and countless inside jokes. I’ll never forget when we scored VIP concert passes and couldn’t stop saying, “Get out of our way, people — we’re V.I.P.s!” Or when he said I was the only one who could ever get him to a strip club because he loved me that much. That was Mike — loyal, hilarious, and full of life.

He loved poker, horror movies, fishing, bowling, and his Chicago Bears. But what stood out most was how deeply he loved those around him. He dedicated his career to helping children, always putting others before himself. And for 17 years, he shared an incredible bond with his partner, Nadine Saccoccio, and their beloved dog, Prima. She was his world, and he was hers.

Now Nadine is facing the unimaginable — life without the love of her life. On top of her grief, she’s also struggling to manage day-to-day life without the support they built together over so many years. Mike was her rock, her best friend, and her family. She’s doing her best to hold on, but it’s incredibly hard.

I started this GoFundMe to help ease some of the burden for Nadine as she navigates this heartbreaking time. Anyone who knew Mike knows he would have done anything to help a friend in need — and now it’s our turn to help the person who meant the most to him.

Every bit of support — whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this page — means the world. Thank you for helping me honor my friend and for standing by Nadine as she faces the road ahead.

Rest easy, Mike. You’ll always be a V.I.P.

— Paul