10 Young Victims Of Addiction, And The Honest Obituaries That Tell Of Their Deaths

If you've looked through the obituary pages recently, you've likely noticed a troubling trend: there are many young faces.

Of course, not all of these deaths were caused by the same thing. And not all of these deaths are explained on the pages of an obituary. But many were caused by addiction. More and more, the families who have paid the price for that addiction with their loved one's life are not trying to hide it.

In recent months, as the opioid epidemic clenches its tight grip on New Jersey, it has become increasingly common for families who lose loved ones to drug addiction to use an obituary as a public plea for others to get help.

"Addiction does not discriminate. Using heroin once is all that it takes to get hooked; from then on you are playing Russian roulette," said the family of Andrew Oswald, who died in January of an overdose. He was just 23. "Heroin is a demon that affects the way your brain processes pleasure, taking over not just your brain but your life, destroying families and friendships," his obituary said.

The obituaries also share memories and traits of these young people from happier times, before they became consumed in a fight that would ultimately lead to their death. These are young people who had friends, enjoyed sports, did well in school, had jobs.

Here are some of the stories of young lives cut short by addition in New Jersey, and whose families are hoping their honest obituaries might, just might, save another family from going through their pain.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in New Jersey call 855-652-3737 for information about treatment options.

(Click on the victim's name to read the full obituary)

Matthew Miller, 26, Lebanon
Date of death: May 6, 2017

(Photo: GoFundMe)

From his obituary "Matthew was a smart, talented, loving soul, who wanted to fight this addiction for the sake of his family, but unfortunately, he lost the battle and the reality of Matthew's death is devastating to all who knew him. No possible reason can justify this loss."

Christopher Charles Dishon, 22, Toms River
Date of death: April 27, 2017

Photo: Ryan Funeral Home

From his obituary: "Chris struggled with this demon for many years and fought a courageous battle which sadly he did not win. As with many young people who are fighting this disease, he believed he was invincible. 'It will never happen to me, Mom.'"

Tyler Onesty, 22, Ocean City
Date of death: March 7, 2017

(Photo Godfrey Funeral Home)

From his obituary: Tyler Onesty "passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, from a heroin overdose, after a hard battle with addiction. Tyler was a graduate of Ocean City High School Class of 2012 and attended Atlantic Cape Community College. He worked for Playland's Castaway Cove as a kid, and then went on to work at R & T Wark Event Consultants, Mattress One, Sleepy's and Sherwin Williams. "

Andrew "Drew" Oswald III, 23, Hamilton
Date of death: Jan. 27, 2017

(Photo: Derrico Funeral Home)

From his obituary: Andrew was an old soul. He had a big heart and a bright future. As a young child, Andrew was filled with curiosity and a great sense of humor. He was bright, sensitive, smart, kind, and charming. His passion was music and he introduced us to a new, wonderful world of sound. Throughout his life, he had an amazing talent for writing. During his middle school years he started experimenting with drugs, but he said, “this is not for me.” We are not sure when he started snorting heroin but as soon as we realized we sent him to a rehab in PA. He spent 90 days there and 3 months in a sober living house. He got a job and moved into an apartment with two of his sober friends. He seemed to be thriving until we got a call from a friend telling us he was injecting heroin. We did everything we could to get him to stop but heroin won the battle.

Vincent Battipaglia, 27, Somers Point
Date of death: Oct. 26, 2016

(Photo: Godfrey Funeral Home)

From his obituary: Vincent Battipaglia "passed away on October 26, 2016 from a drug overdose at AtlantiCare Medical Center in Atlantic City.

Justin M. Finnerty, 26, Towaco
Date of death: July 30, 2016

(Photo: Norman Dean Home for Services)

From his obituary: " At the young age of 26, he succumbed to his struggle with heroin. Justin was a remarkable young man. His witty sense of humor, irresistibleness, his sympathy and compassion to everyone in his life including strangers, and willingness to help others will never be forgotten. The appreciation and devotion that he showed for his family was unparalleled to any other. His legacy of love, charm, and benevolence will live on in the hearts and souls of his family and friends forever, and that laughter – infectious!"

Jesse Flynn, 22, Parlin
Date of death: May 29, 2016

(Photo: Spezzi Funeral Home)

From his obituary: "Jesse Flynn, age 22, died Saturday, May 29, 2016, of a heroin overdose. I would not call it a sudden death because we watched him suffer for years from the disease of addiction. But through it all he was kind, funny and hard working. We were never embarrassed by his addiction we were nothing less than proud of his fight and in awe of his determination to recover"

George W. Southwell Jr., 35, Brick
Date of death: April 28, 2016
From his obituary: George Southwell "died of a heroin overdose while working on a commercial fishing boat off the coast of Point Pleasant Beach NJ."

Mark Anthony Bendy, 27, East Windsor
Date of death: March 8, 2016
From his obituary: "Mark Anthony Bendy, Jr., 27, of East Windsor, NJ, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016 of a heroin overdose at his place of employment, State-Wide Moving Company, Hightstown."

Patrick J. Crouse Jr., 34, Phillipsburg
Date of death: July 19, 2015
From his obituary: "As a teen he turned to narcotics to self-medicate. This was the beginning of his life long battle with drug addiction. Early in his twenties, Patrick found that heroin silenced the voices in his head. He fought his addiction as hard and long as he could. Unfortunately, a life of recovery led to a pain for him that is too great for most to imagine and that caused him to relapse each time. Patrick was released from jail on July 10, 2015. He made the decision to silence the voices in his head one last time on July 18, 2015. He met his maker and was reunited with his father on July 19, 2015. Patrick's suffering is finally over and he is able to be at peace now."

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