Wallace J. Wojtowicz

Wallace J. Wojtowicz, Jr. (1966-2015)

Wally Wojtowicz was 48 years old and died at his home in Halfmoon, New York on April 6, 2015, after a long illness. He lived with autism and had also been diagnsed with epilepsy at age 10 and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at age 36. Wally Wojtowicz was born in Troy, New York on December 18, 1966. He was an avid reader of history and science books. His writing has been included in many publications, including six books. His parents Wallace and Gayalyn Wojtowicz Sr.helped care for him and they survive him.

Tribute to Wallace J. Wojtowicz, Jr.:  "He was a wonderful advocate for people with disabilities, a deeply spiritual human being and a kind, compassionate friend to all who knew him....His joyful smile, peaceful presence and wise words will be deeply, sorely missed by his family and friends (Wallace Wojtowicz Obituary)."

Links about Wallace J. Wojtowicz, Jr.: 

Obituary: Obituary of Wallace Wojtowicz at Catricala Funeral Home

Brian Gerwitz

Brian Gerwitz, 20 Years

Brian Gerwitz was 20 years old and had autism. He lived in New York. He had been reported missing on February 17, 2015, and volunteers searched for 44 days for him.His body was found in Marine Park Creek near Brooklyn, New York on April 2, 2015.

Tributes to Brian Gerwitz:

"He was so thoughtful, and if you were sad he would sit with you for hours just hugging you and saying I love you (Laura Rivera, Brian's godmother)."

Links about Brian Gerwitz: 

Blog: Tragic Ending to Brian Gerwitz Wandering Case, Autism Speaks

News: 

• Body Found in Marine Park Creek Identified as Missing Autistic Man Brian Gerwitz, Sheepshead Bay News, April 3, 2015 

• Missing Autistic Man's Body Found Near Brooklyn Golf Course, NY Daily News, April 3, 2015 

• Missing Young Man With Autism in Brooklyn Found Dead, 7Online, April 3, 2015 

Timothy Wallace

Timothy Wallace (2005-2015)

Timothy Wallace was 9 years old and had autism. He was born on October 23, 2005, and lived in Dunlap, Tennessee near Chattanooga. Timothy Wallace was struck by a train on the railroad tracks on March 22, 2015, after he had wandered away from his aunt's home in Sale Creek, Tennessee. His parents are Victor Wallace and Lashawn Brown.

Tributes to Timothy Wallace:

"If he saw that you were upset or if he saw a tear rolling down your face, he'd walk over and look at you. He had this weird grin on his face and he'd crack you up the way he looked at you (Destanie Clark, Timothy's Sister)."

Links about Timothy Wallace: 

Obituary: Timothy Wallace's Obituary, Tributes.com

News:  

• Family Mourns Death of 9 Year Old Autistic Boy Hit By Train, Timesfreepress.com, March 24, 2015 

• Sale Creek Community Mourns Death of 9 Year Old Timothy Wallace, WDEF.com, March 23, 2015 

Jaquarious Kendall

Jaquarious Kendall (1996-2015)

Jaquarious Quamonte Kendall was 18 years old and had autism. Jaquarious was born on June 14, 1996 and lived in Albermarle, North Carolina. He was a senior at Albermarle High School and a member of Resurrection Community Church. Jaquarious went missing on January 25, 2015, when he left home in his car to see his girlfriend at 1 a.m. His abandoned car was found and officials searched for him for six weeks. On March 10, 2015 he was found floating in the water near Swift Island Road in Lake Tillay in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jaquarious' parents are Dwayne Kendall and Rhonda Wiggins.

Links about Jaquarious Kendall: 

Obituary:  Obituary of Jaquarious Kendall 

News: 

• Detectives: Body of Missing Albermarle Teen Found (WSOCTV.com, March 10, 2015)
• Mother After Teens's Body Found: 'A Part of Me is Gone' (WSOCTV.com, March 11, 2015) 

Brandon Beukers

Brandon Beukers (1991-2015)

Brandon Paul Beukers was 24 years old and had autism.  Brandon was born on January 31, 1991. He had been living in a group home in Syracuse, Utah. On the evening of February 7, 2015, Brandon wandered away from his group home and entered the private home of a neighbor who thought he was going to rob him. The neighbor put Brandon into a headlock that caused him to pass out. Brandon Beukers was taken to a hospital and died on February 12, 2015. His parents are Steve and Sharon Beukers.

Tributes to Brandon Beukers:

Brandon was very loving. He loved going to school and always looked forward to the bus ride. Throughout school and life he had loving teachers, caregivers, and bus drivers. Brandon had touched many lives, more than we could ever know. He had a very kind heart and was always happy despite the pain (From Brandon Beukers Obituary)

Links about Brandon Beukers: 

Blog:  Autism Memorial 

Obituary:  Lindquist Funeral Home Obituary for Brandon Paul Beukers

News:  Investigation Continues into Death of Autistic Utah Man after Alleged Break-in (Salt Lake Tribune, February 20, 2015)

Aja Dasa

Aja Prema Dasa (1998-2015)

Aja Dasa was 16 years old and had autism. He lived in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Aja Dasa was stabbed in the abdomen on February 11, 2015, and he died later that day at the hospital. His parents are Jenifer Runnion and Steve Hadachek.

Tribute to Aja Dasa: "Aja was a bright and artistic young man. He enjoyed modeling and made incredible creations with many materials, including tinfoil, clay and especially Lego. He enjoyed painting his models in order to bring his creations, and the imaginative games in which they were used, to life. Aja was particularly kind, genuine, and had a delightful sense of humor and playfulness. Aja was dearly loved and will continue to be deeply missed by his family and friends (Aja Dasa Obituary at Tributes.com)."

Links about Aja Dasa: 

Obituary: Aja Dasa Obituary at Tributes.com

          Blogs: Autism Memorial Blog: Aja Dasa

News: 

• Mother Struggling with Death of Her Son by His Brother (Groupstate.com, May 5, 2015) 

John Linn

John Linn (1993-2015)

John William "J.W." Linn was 21 years old and had autism. He lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. John Linn was born on September 3, 1993, and passed away on February 10, 2015, after having several grand mal seizures. John Linn had been a student at the Alpine Autism Center. His parents are Colonel John T. Linn (USAF, Retired) and Michelle Linn.

Tributes to John Linn:

"He loved the outdoors and was a regular hiker at Garden of the Gods Park. He was a sweet soul with a zest for life despite battling autism and epilepsy for many years (Legacy.com Obituary for John Linn)."

Obituary: John Linn Obituary at Legacy.com