Dylan Hockley

Dylan Hockley (2006-2012)

Dylan Hockley was 6 years old and had autism. He is from Newton, Connecticut.  He was killed in the school shooting that happened on December 14, 2012, at Sandy Brook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. Dylan is the son of Ian and Nicole Hockley. He is also survived by a brother Jake Hockley.


Tributes: 

"He helped us to be stronger people than we might have been without him (Ian Hockley, Source)."

"He was always smiling, always laughing. If he laughed, other people laughed with him. He loved to be tickled so people would come up to him and just start tickling him, just to hear him laugh. It was like music. (Nicole Hockley, Source)." 

Links about Dylan Hockley:

Obituary: Dylan Hockley Obituary

Memorial Website: Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund 

Facebook Memorial Pages: 

• RIP Dylan Hockley Sandy Hook Massacre Victim  

• Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund 

Twitter Memorial Page: Dylan Hockley's Fund @DylanHockley 

YouTube Videos: Dylan's Father Nic Hockley's YouTube Channel

Blogs: Autism Light #247 

News: 

• Family of Victim Dylan Hockley Moving Away From Newton After Shooting  

• Westport Playground Honors Dylan Hockley 

• Newton Parents Learn Comforting Details about Son's Death 

• Newton Mom Nicole Hockley Talks About Autistic Sons Empathy 

Josephine Grace Gay

Josephine Grace Gay (2005-2012)

Josephine Grace Gay was 7 years old and had autism. She is from Newton, Connecticut.  She was killed in the school shooting that happened on December 14, 2012, at Sandy Brook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. Josephine Grace Gay was survived by her parents Michele and Bob Gay and sister, Sophia and Maria Gay.


Tributes:

"She lived seven years inspiring friends and family with her beautiful smile, loving heart, and playful spirit (Source/Obituary)." 

"It will help us if others know what a special person she was and how she inspired everyone she met.  Joey was autistic and severely apraxic. She could not speak, yet she touched the lives of so many around her: teachers, therapists, friends, neighbors, all loved and cherished her. Joey was social and affectionate; she smiled, she loved hugs, and she even had a wonderful sense of humor. Her spirit was indomitable. She participated in rigorous therapy and treatment on a daily basis without complaint. She loved to play with her Barbie dolls, iPad, and computer, swim, swing, and be anywhere her sisters were. Josephine loved the color purple (Source, Her Parents)." 

Links about Josephine Grace Gay:

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary

Memorial Fund: Joey's Fund at Doug Flutie Foundation

Facebook Memorial Pages: RIP Josephine Grace Gay-Sandy Hook Massacre Victim

Blogs: Autism Light #246 

News:  

• Md. Native, Josephine Gay, 7, Remembered for "Indomitable" Spirit  

• Newton Victim Josephine Gay Taught Parents About Life 

Desmond Thomas

Desmond Thomas, 11 Years

Desmond Earl Thomas, Jr. was 11 years old and had autism. He was from Houston, Texas. Desmond wandered away from his father on October 3, 2012, and he crossed a busy interstate in Houston, where he was hit by a sports utility vehicle. He died from his injuries on October 3, 2012. Desmond's parents are Desmond Earl and Tina Marie Thomas.

Tributes to Desmond Thomas: "Bright as sunshine, he lit up the whole world with his big brown eyes. He loved to swim, pirate ships and..."hot chips, candy and coke!" He will be loved, missed and in our memory forever (Desmond Thomas Obituary at ObitsforLife.com)."

Links about Desmond Thomas: 

Blogs:

• Lives Lost to Autism

News:

• Autistic Boy, 11, Dies After Hit by SUV 

• Car Hits, Kills 11-year-old Autistic Boy on Katy Freeway

Obituary:

• Desmond Thomas Obituary at ObitsforLife.com  

Matthew Shaw

Matthew Shaw (1974-2012)

Matthew Shaw was 38 years old and had autism. He is from Portland, Maine. Matthew Shaw died on September 16, 2012, from the effects of a pulmonary embolism he suffered on August 24, 2012. He was the son of Wayne V. and Rosemary J. Crooker Shaw. His father Wayne preceded him in death.

Tributes: 

"Matthew proved everyone wrong. My mother believed in him. My father believed in him, and Matthew believed in himself. He was so successful in everything he did. He was truly amazing (Vincent Shaw, Brother)

"He was admired for his strong work ethic. He overcame his autism with determination and a positive attitude. He never complained. He accomplished more than anyone thought possible (Matthew Shaw's Obituary)."

Links about Matthew Shaw: 

Obituary:

• Featured Obituary with Portland Press

• Obituary for Matthew Shaw (Portland Press Herald)

Blogs:  Autism Light Blog 

Jeremiah Conn

Jeremiah Conn, 5 Years

Jeremiah Conn was 5 years old and had autism. Jeremiah was from Madison, Wisconsin. Jeremiah Conn wandered away from his caregivers and drowned in a retention pond near the Stoughton Fire Department on July 3, 2012. He had been in Stoughton, Wisconsin for the Stoughton Junior Fair.

Tribute: "He was a fun kid, he was loving, he was playful (Marcus Fleming, Jermiah's Uncle as Quoted by WMTV NBC 15).

Links about Jeremiah Conn: 

Blogs:

• Lives Lost to Autism 

News:

• Body of Missing 5 year old Recovered in Stoughton 

• Death of 5-year-old Autistic Boy in Stoughton Ruled Accidental Drowning 

• Drowning in Stoughton  

• Family Holds Autism Walk in Memory of 5 year-old Boy 

Kesia Kearse

Kesia Kearse, 5 Years

Kesia Rose Kearse was 5 years old and had autism.  She lived in Bradenton, Florida.  Kesia drowned in a retention pond near her home on June 11, 2012, after she unlocked a sliding glass door and wandered away from her family.

Tribute to Kesia Kearse: "If she was here right now, she'd give you the high-five. She was a joy. I'm just going to miss her (Sylvia Jackson, Mother)."

Links about Kesia Kearse: 

Blogs:

• Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering 

• Lives Lost to Autism 

News:

• Girl, 5, drowns in pond despite neighbor's rescue try  

• The Family of a 5-year-old drowning victim tried many times to teach her the danger of water  

• Parents of 5-year-old autistic girl, Kesia Kearse, are asking for help to bury her