These are the words I shared at the Celebration of Life:

"Things I Love and Hope I Will Always Remember About Andrew DeSimone, in no particular order.

Whatever we were doing, if Drew showed up, he showed up with enthusiasm. When it was 4th of July 2023 -- I'll never forget -- he showed up with that Volkswagen trunk JAM-PACKED FULL of every kind of firework imaginable, and that night he put on the absolute best front-yard fireworks show I have ever seen in my life. That whole day, it was like he was a 12 year-old boy again, shooting bottle Rockets and firecrackers, and eating cookout food with the most infectious enthusiasm, wearing a somewhat ridiculous star-spangled fedora and an enormous grin.

When it was time for our family's annual pumpkin party, the first year he was with us, he brought a very deluxe pumpkin- carving kit, and an absolutely perfect, smooth, round pumpkin. Of course he brought his enthusiasm, and carved a neat pumpkin. He ate his pumpkin chili and made plenty of pleasant comments about the food; he bobbed for apples in competition with his beautiful bride, and was full of smiles the whole evening. I was not the pumpkin judge that year, and after the party I told him, "I loved your pumpkin, Drew. I'm sorry you didn't win a prize." An enormous grin spread across his face and he said, "Oh you gave me a prize, all right, and I'm taking her home with me!" 

I loved the way Drew would shut his eyes, scrunch his nose and throw his head back, mouth wide open, laughing at the ceiling when something was really funny.

I loved the way Drew would carefully and meticulously select the perfect gifts for people at holidays.

Last year, Sydni and Drew took us with them for Thanksgiving vacation at the beach, and I hope I never forget the morning before Thanksgiving when Drew and I made breakfast together -- Scrambled eggs and stuffed French toast -- and we sang in the beach-condo kitchen, "God Bless the Broken Road," each of us thinking how blessed we were, in the partners and family God had given us.

I love the way Drew jumped in with both feet from the get-go. A couple of weeks ago, Drew told me, "The minute I walked through that door, I knew I wanted to be a part of this family." I love the way he so readily connected to us. Once he asked for Conner's & my blessing to propose to Sydni, he started calling me "mom" and "mama," and I was instantly enamored with my new son. Drew seemed to know that sweet words are my love language, and he always had plenty of sweet words for me.

I hope I never forget Drew's big bear hugs.

I know I will never forget the first Valentine's Day Drew spent with us, and in addition to roses for Sydni and Olie, he brought white roses for his mother-in-law. That boy had my heart.

I am thankful for the stepfather that Drew was to Olivia. They started out so shakily that Olie wanted to toss Rhode Island off the United States map, but gradually -- over a short period of months -- he won her heart with his playful antics and his compassion and concern for her. He became her confidant, and she would tell him things she wouldn't tell anyone else.

I am thankful that Andrew gave us Roman. I am thankful that God saw fit to make Roman in the very image of his father. The things I don't want to forget come up in my remembrance when I look at Roman's face, and it makes me smile. I have set my heart to remember the good things, and looking at my grandson makes it easy. Roman's already got the bear-hug down-pat.

More than anything,

I loved the way Drew loved my daughter. And I loved the way she loved him. They have been the cutest couple of smooching, giggling, whispering lovers I have ever seen, showing up every year to the St. Patrick's parade in their matching "Guiness" shirts, going out on romantic sushi-picnic dates, and dozens of other creative date nights that were never just "dinner and a movie," making scrapbooks and memory books and movie posters and statues and endless reminders of their romance. My heart is deeply grieved at our family's loss, but I am thankful forever for the love and happiness that Andrew DeSimone brought to my Sydni, and to all of us."

These are the words shared by Paul DeSimone, Andrew's father, at the Celebration of Life:

"We have all gathered today to remember our dear Andrew.

Who knew the inner troubled heart of this young man?

Only God did.

If only Andrew knew how much he was loved by God it would have changed his daily life and changed his relationship with our father, living safe in the knowledge that we are always on His mind.

Things would have been different, and we all wouldn't be sitting here right now.

Dear Andrew, little did you know, because of his strong and tender love, you had nothing to fear.

Many of us used as vessels from above tried to draw you near to Him.

Telling you He died on the cross and shed His blood for sins, and to please ask Him to forgive you and through faith He will take you to Him where you will live for eternity.

His grace is sufficient no matter what you've done or where you've been.

So today we sit here wondering with hope that at your last hour you clung to His loving power.

If so, we all look forward to seeing you again where there will be no more darkness, no more tears, no more pain, and you will live in the light of the lamb.

Until we meet again Andrew, our hope is in knowing that God heard your last cry and so then we know the angels carried you to his loving home and there you will rest in the Lord Alone.

Until we meet again Andrew know we loved you dearly."

Memorial Video:In Loving MemoryAndrew DeSimoneMay 23, 1987 - April 11, 2024

"You were more than just Andrew. You were a friend, brother, son, uncle, husband, and father. You were everything to some and the world to others."

I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Andrew. May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time.

He was full of so much love!! 

Particularly in "The Pacifier."

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