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I am very sad and sorry to share that my brother John 'Buddy' Smith passed away October 2, 2016.
He was a sweet, funny, loving family member and friend, and is already deeply missed. We've had an outpouring of support for our family, and am sure more will be coming our way.
Buddy had been fighting addiction, and unfortunately died of a presumed drug overdose.
We are very proud that he had been working hard over the past few years to educate himself about addiction, face his mental health challenges, and move himself forward.
In fact, this year he had become more independent, completed multiple recovery programs, moved out of his family's house, and gotten a new job. He was fighting.
My mom, Dorothy O. Smith, was Buddy's life line. She worked doggedly to support her son. Whether it was driving him daily to meetings at the Kolmac Center, attending lectures and support groups to educate herself, host Buddy in her home when he was sober and getting back on his feet, taking him on long drives to get him out and clear his head, driving him downtown to pick up our favorite cinnamon buns -- Buddy knew his mom loved him and, moreover, was dedicated to helping him be the best version of himself.
Supporting Bud to this degree required an unbelievable financial outlay for my mom. She paid for his health insurance, multiple in-patient recovery programs, out-patient recovery, visits to psychiatrists, prescriptions, and paid fees associated with transitioning to a sober living home. As someone who was unemployed, you can imagine the kind of insurance my brother was eligible for, and the skyhigh deductibles for all of these necessary health services.
What a mom! Buddy told me each week that he could not have had his periods of recovery without mom's tough love and financial support.
We are raising money to remember John directly. Funds donated will be put first to the cost of funeral services. Then, additional support will go to my mom to cover the significant costs of John's mental health and addiction treatments.
We will be remembering John with viewings October 5, from 3-5pm and 7-9pm at Evans Funeral Home at 8800 Harford Road. That night at 8pm there will be a short service at the viewing. Thursday we will have a mass at St. Isaac Jogues, 9215 Old Harford Road, at 10:30am.
Thank you for your love and support.
He was a sweet, funny, loving family member and friend, and is already deeply missed. We've had an outpouring of support for our family, and am sure more will be coming our way.
Buddy had been fighting addiction, and unfortunately died of a presumed drug overdose.
We are very proud that he had been working hard over the past few years to educate himself about addiction, face his mental health challenges, and move himself forward.
In fact, this year he had become more independent, completed multiple recovery programs, moved out of his family's house, and gotten a new job. He was fighting.
My mom, Dorothy O. Smith, was Buddy's life line. She worked doggedly to support her son. Whether it was driving him daily to meetings at the Kolmac Center, attending lectures and support groups to educate herself, host Buddy in her home when he was sober and getting back on his feet, taking him on long drives to get him out and clear his head, driving him downtown to pick up our favorite cinnamon buns -- Buddy knew his mom loved him and, moreover, was dedicated to helping him be the best version of himself.
Supporting Bud to this degree required an unbelievable financial outlay for my mom. She paid for his health insurance, multiple in-patient recovery programs, out-patient recovery, visits to psychiatrists, prescriptions, and paid fees associated with transitioning to a sober living home. As someone who was unemployed, you can imagine the kind of insurance my brother was eligible for, and the skyhigh deductibles for all of these necessary health services.
What a mom! Buddy told me each week that he could not have had his periods of recovery without mom's tough love and financial support.
We are raising money to remember John directly. Funds donated will be put first to the cost of funeral services. Then, additional support will go to my mom to cover the significant costs of John's mental health and addiction treatments.
We will be remembering John with viewings October 5, from 3-5pm and 7-9pm at Evans Funeral Home at 8800 Harford Road. That night at 8pm there will be a short service at the viewing. Thursday we will have a mass at St. Isaac Jogues, 9215 Old Harford Road, at 10:30am.
Thank you for your love and support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dorothy Smith
Beneficiary