That's terrible. Good vibes and prayers in that family's and your direction.

How do autistic kids view death? Do they grasp its finality? What's it like for them?

I'm sorry for your loss and all others that are impacted have my condolances

It's always such a sad thing when kids get torn away from the journey of their life at such an early stage. So many things they could have done. My condolences for all involved and the real process with the loss may well be have to start yet. Wish you all the strength to assist your son in that process.

Looking at your message, this may help? List of famous people who died young.

This, posting here, is like signing a card for somebody, and you don't know what to say, but you feel like you should say something. I'm glad you, we, have this mode of contact, the internet, available to us. I hope it helps you in some way to talk it out here, or just read what is posted.

Death leads us on a journey of self-exploration, question-asking, it necessitates the solidification of some kind of philosophy, to deal with the reality it has imposed on us. Untimely, unexpected death, perhaps more so. It sounds like Jeffery didn't waste any time getting started on this journey. It sounds like he has a great support system in place. I wish the best for you all . . . knowing, of course, that everything will be just fine.

I'm so sorry, and my prayers are with your families.

My condolences to Stephen's family, and to all who had their lives touched by him.

Dont be sad, celabrate his young life. He is in a better place, hangin with Jesus!

I, too, add my condolences. Poor Stephen! How tragic for such young life to be cut so short. It sounds like Jeffrey has a wise parent who will help him through the loss of his friend.

Thanks for all of the support. Since I'm at work, Marci has done most of the heavy lifting, watching Jeffrey and helping her friend.

The funeral is Monday morning at St. John Fisher in Boothwyn.

The last time I was in a church was for a friend's son's confirmation.

Jeffrey seems ok for now, but have checked on supports offered by my health insurance just in case. Today I bought prints of most of the digital pictures I have taken of Stephen in the past few years. I found one really nice one of him and my son. I cropped my son out of it so that Stephen's family can have a nice picture, although I'm sure they have many already.

This has been a truly lousy week.

I can only imagine how horrible this is for everybody. Our thoughts & prayers are with Stephen's family and yours, Rich.

Me too, condolences for Stephen's family and yours. This is just really sad =(

Here is his obituary. The funeral is on Monday in Boothwyn for anyone here who met him or who wants to pay respects.

My condolences.

We're going to the funeral tomorrow. I did want to thank someone from the Cellar who gave us Phillies tickets on two occasions. The first time we took Stephen's brother Mark, and last April we took Stephen and his mom.

Here's the picture of us at the game. This might have been the only game Stephen went to at the new park. I'm not sure how many Phillies games he ever attended. When someone goes too soon, you sometimes measure up all of the good times that person had and hope it was enough.

Marci, Jeff, and I enjoyed that day at the park. I'm pretty sure Stephen did too. Thanks for the tickets. They turned out to be more important than anyone expected.