Aaron Patrick Smith

Memorial Fund

Today we crossed the $20,000 mark! 
We've raised $20,159.94 as of 10/30/05.

Thank you to the more than 100 people that have given to Aaron Patrick Smith Memorial Fund so far.  Your contributions are very much appreciated and will help us to keep Aaron's Memory alive while helping countless others for years to come.   

There's still a lot of work to be done.   And there are many ways that you can help:

1. If you haven't contributed yet and have the means to do so, go to the
    link below and donate right now.   Your contribution will be matched
    Dollar for Dollar so even a small contribution can make a big difference.
    Click here to see how you can donate.

2. Aaron's family is working on a large scale fundraiser for early late winter.
    As we get through the planning stages, we'll likely need some volunteer
    support to organize and run the event.   If you'd like to volunteer in some
    capacity, please email APSMemorial@leaderbychoice.com with all of your
    contact information.   We'll add your name to the list and contact you as
    we get things figured out.

3. Finally, you can help by distributing flyers about the memorial fund.   To
    download a copy of the flyer click here (you will need acrobat reader to
    open the file.)

Thank you again to all of those that have stepped up to help us preserve Aaron's memory and build a lasting legacy.   

Birthday

Today would have been Aaron's 29th Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Brother.

Memories

We recently added some videos to the site that we'd like to share.

The first video was filmed about 3 weeks before Aaron's death.  In this short video he's playing with his niece, Lauren.  Aaron's being his normal playful self.   I think you'll enjoy it.  Click here to view.

The second video is the same video that was played at the memorial service.  Many poeple weren't able to see the screen so I wanted to make it available for those who didn't see it.  Be warned, you will laugh and probably cry... Click here to view the tribute video

Finally, Aaron was a very talented artist (among many other things).  We managed to get some of his early artwork together here so you could view it.  Some of it is beautiful, some scary.  Click here to view Aaron's 'Early' Art.

Wow

The last few days have been a blur for our family.  It's hard to believe that 5 days have gone by since Aaron died.  There's been a lot of crying and very little sleeping or eating.   As I had lunch with my family today and looked around the table everyone looked physically and emotionally drained....

BUT, something is different since yesterday.  It seems that at least part of the raw grief has been lifted.  Don't get me wrong, if any of us allow certain thoughts to enter our minds we could go from laughing to crying almost instantly.  But, it is a little different.

When I walked into the funeral home yesterday, I was immediately overcome by the smell of flowers.  It was completely overwhelming.  Despite the haze I was in, I couldn't help but notice.  As I walked around the facility the reason became apparent.  There were flowers and plants everywhere and I mean everywhere.   So many wanted to pay their respects. The rooms were literally overflowing....

More than two hours before the service people started showing up.  They kept coming...and coming.  After about 30 min my sister, Samantha, said to me, "I don't think they're going to have enough seats."  I replied, "I know...it's awesome." 

Time passed.  Still more people.  I started to feel overwhelmed.  I thought I might actually pass out.  It was odd.  The whole thing, of course, is so much more than odd... it's wrong.  But in that moment it just felt..odd.   I went and hid as best I could from the countless faces that kept showing up.  Aaron was the social one.  Not me.  And what could I say?  What could people say to me?   For the most part we'd stand there looking at eachother trying to find something to say but mostly fearful of saying the wrong thing (whatever that might be).

As the time of the service drew near, my wife and I headed into the funeral home.  The crowd was ENORMOUS.  We literally had to weave and push our way to the crowd. I just kept thinking "This is awesome."

The service started late because the staff was scrambling to find more chairs for people.  The funeral home actually borrowed chairs from other local funeral homes...and STILL did not have enough.   

If you were there, you know the service was very moving.   It was difficult, but it was good.  During the time that I spoke I kept thinking to myself... "wow".  I could see hundreds of people from my vantage point at the podium but I knew there were so many more around the corners, down the halls, and in the lobby just trying to be part it. 

It was the hottest ticket in town.

As I was finishing my eulogy, I couldn't help but comment on what is the most impressive thing I've seen in my life.... I often wonder If I'm living my life well, if I'm a good man, if I'm living up to my potential.  I want to measure it.  I want to know.  I feel I need to know.  How can any of us know if we've lived a good life?  Standing there in front of all of those people who were touched so deeply by my little brother the answer was very clear.   

Well over 600 people attended his memorial service.  So many more came and left before the service.  I asked the funeral director when the last time was that so many people attended a service and his reply was, "I don't know...it's been a very long time."   

I suspect it will be a very long time until the next one as well.  Wow.

Matthew Smith

Memorial Service

Memorial Service will be held for Aaron Today.  There will be a gathering between 2 and 4pm today at Trimble Funeral Home in Moline, IL.   The actual service will be held at 4pm.   

After the service, around 6pm tonight, we will be gathering at Copia in the District of Rock Island to celebrate Aaron's life and the positive impact he had on so many of us.

We established the Aaron Patrick Smith Memorial Fund to honor Aaron's memory.  You can learn more about the fund and how you can contribute by going clicking here.

Aaron Patrick Smith

Aaron Patrick Smith, 28, of Moline, Illinois, died Friday, October 14, 2005, in his residence.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, with a gathering from 2 until 4 p.m. prior to the services. Memorials may be made to a memorial fund which will be established in his name.

He left us much too soon. We loved him so much and failed him in too many ways.  Perhaps each of us will be better for all that he has taught us. Aaron was born October 27, 1976, in Silvis, Illinois, the son of Claudia Cronin Smith and Fred Henderson Smith Jr.  He graduated from Augustana College and had applied for a Fulbright Scholarship.  He was manager of Alma’s Restaurant /Bar in Rock Island, and Co-owner of QCHotspots.com. He was an artist, loved working with his hands and doing carpentry, and enjoyed his motorcycle and politics. He had many friends and will be forever missed by all who loved him

Aaron is survived by his mother and step-father, Claudia and Buzz Robinson of East Moline; siblings and their spouses, Joshua Smith of Boone, North Carolina, Matthew and Jessica Smith of Davenport, Samantha and Thomas VanHorn of East Moline, and Lindsay Victor of East Moline; half sisters Stacey Smith and Shelly Washington,  nephews and a niece, Maxim Smith, Lauren VanHorn, and Austin Smith;  grandparents, Ruth and Barry Cronin of Moline and Margaret and Martin Johnson of Pompano Beach, Florida; and his fiancée, Carolyn Kosiek of Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

His brilliance will not be forgotten.