REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JOHN WEST III

By JACK PALMER

One month ago, Washingtonville was rocked by the loss of their beloved community member, John West III.  Emotions ran high for not only students, but families in the community as well.  Everyone seemed to be terribly affected by this tremendous loss.  Throughout the town, the memories, laughs, and good times, were the only topics of conversation being had.  While most everyone knew John for his music and outgoing personality, some knew him as if they were brothers.

JACK PALMER FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Miguel Dela Cruz, John Contino, Jon Saltz, Matt Warren, Tommy Gerdin and Vijay Kabaria were the best friends of John West in elementary school and all through high school.  A few days after the passing of John, these were the ones who made a real impact on everyone in Washingtonville.  Jon set up the GoFundMe page to help John’s family pay for the services.  Miguel made t-shirts honoring John’s life and music. Matt and John made crosses to go above the football field, and Vijay set up a couple of memorials for people to honor John.  Needless to say, they were the ones who helped to make the memory of John live on.

Miguel was John’s best friend and considered him to be his brother.  For all the memories the two made together, he says his favorite was “when John and I had sleepovers at my house and would watch leanandcuisine videos until we fell asleep.”  As for John Contino, he agreed with Miguel on the favorite memory, but one thing he won’t forget is “when John was delivering and he called me and asked me to use my bathroom because he was in the middle of a delivery.”  While the memories reign tall for all of his friends, it’s his impression on the school and community that will last forever.

Every student has said what a great kid John was, and that his music was really awesome, but for the people who knew him best, it was more than just that.  John was always the happiest person both in school, and out.  He never had a mean thing to say, and if anyone was down in the dumps, he was there to bring a smile to their face.  His friends say that they want him to be remembered as the greatest kid to ever walk into Washingtonville High School. 

Everyone should live their lives with full enjoyment, but with responsibility.  Take a good look at your life, and remember that this life is sacred.  Remember the important people in your life, and that their lives are sacred too.  John West said it best in one of his songs, “Life’s quick. Slow down, take your time, enjoy the simple things in life.”