This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Matthew Gramlich who was born in Rochester, New York on July 02, 1987 and passed away on December 18, 2005 in Farmington, NY at the age of 18. We will remember him forever.

"VICTOR: Sunday, December 18, 2005, at age 18. Predeased by his maternal grandfather Joseph William Marrocco, He is survived by his mother, Donna Gramlich (Marrocco) & (fiance' Ronald B. Ayers); father, James Gramlich; maternal grandmother, Amelia Marrocco; paternal grand parents, Patricia and Paul Gramlich; aunts & uncles, Linda and Mike Rosa, William and Deborah Marrocco, Thomas and Audrey Marrocco; Kate and John Crane; George (Cathy) Pawlyk; step brothers, Frank Ayers, Ron and (Amy) Ayers; step grandfather, Ronald L. Ayers; step aunts and uncles, Jenny and Kevin Quigley, Gary and Diane Ayers; many cousins.

Donations "In Memory of Matthew J. Gramlich" can be made to :

Victor Dollars for Scholars
c/o Victor High School
853 High Street
Victor, NY 14564 




























Matt was alway's very close to his Grandma since his grandfather passed away when he was only 4 yrs. old. Since then he was Grandma's little helper doing things around the house for her. As Matt got older his grandma became more and more sick. After Matthew passed away it was like he was calling Grandma home to heaven so she wouldn't suffer no more. Sadly she passed away 6 1/2 weeks after Matt. They are now together in heaven. Below is his Grandma's web-site. Please light a candle or leave a tribute for her too.

http://amelia-marrocco.memory-of.com




































































Thank You so much for the beautiful Graphics Jayne 
daughter of
http://ritadarcy.memory-of.com





















Thank You very much for the awesome graphic Darla
daughter of 
http://earl-danz.memory-of.com






























Thank You very much Sara
mother of 

http://laura-porter-1995-2005.memory-of.com

Matthew's first Valentine letter to his Mom

































































Cross was made by Grandpa Gramlich and woodburning was done by Donna Gramlich.




Full view of the crash site




Wreath was made by Caleb Wyman's Mom and Dad
(Matt's Friend)

    



Only one that has lost a son or daughter would understand.  Matt was good at whatever he did. He was as s very special son any parent would love to have. He had some very special friends in his life.  All of his friends were more of a brother sister than best friends. He had too many to mention. I hope you will take the time to view the pictures of his life.  Please light a candle in his memory or leave a tribute of a special memory if you would.  It means so much to the ones that are left behind to see that others care.
Thank you for your time and your caring words and for lighting a candle or leave a tribute.

Thank You once again,
Matt’s Mom & Step Dad,

Donna & Ron  








He Only Took My Hand 


Last night while I was sleeping, my son's voice I did hear

I opened my eyes and looked in his room
But Matthew didn't appear 

He said:
"Mom you've got to listen,you've got to understand
God didn't take me from you, he only took my hand 

When I called out in pain that night, he instantly reached down,
took my hand and pulled me gently to his side,
lifted me up and saved me from all the misery and pain inside.
My body hurt so badly, I could never be the same 

My search is really over now
I've found happiness within, all the answers to my empty
dreams and all that might have been 

I love and miss you soooo very much, I'll always be near by
My body's gone forever
But my spirit will never die 

So you must go on now and live one day at a time
Until we meet again 

Just understand:

God didn't take me from you, he only took my hand!!!!





Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here there's no more tears of sadness; here is eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon, and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do to help the mortal man."
God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on his list was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you...in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth and all the loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and in pain;
Then you can say to God at night..."My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way to go.
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free,
Remember you're not going...you're coming home to me. 







Matthew Gramlich, loving son and great storyteller

Matthew Gramlich was an entertaining soul who was dedicated to his work, his family, and his friends.

VICTOR - Matthew Gramlich was fun. When things happened to him - things that would make other people grumpy - he just added the incident to his repertoire of stories. And when he told his stories, he made people laugh.

The 18-year-old Victor High School senior died Dec. 18 after the car he was riding in
crashed.

"He was the best storyteller, " said friend Kelly Hearn. "So funny. "

Jim Gramlich, Matthew's father, recalled the comical way his son recounted an episode at work. A big, heavy pot had fallen on Matthew's head during one of his shifts as a dishwater at Otto Tomotto's restaurant in Victor.

He got a big gash and was bleeding, recalled Matthew's boss, Tim Archetko, Otto Tomotto's owner and executive chef. But Matthew insisted on finishing his shift. "And he came back the next day. "

At home, Matthew's friends and family benefited from Matthew's sore head. He told a great story - "so dramatic, " recalled Hearn.

He was the kind of person you liked to talk to for hours, she added.
Matthew didn't need to experience anything unusual or interesting to recognize a good story, said friend Zach Towle. "It was what happened that day. "

It didn't take long after Matthew started working last year at Otto Tomotto's for Archetko to get wind of the fact that Matthew always worked hard and never skipped a shift because he didn't want to let Archetko down. Archetko and assistant chef Dan Cacciato came to regard Matthew as more of a younger brother than an employee, said Archetko. "We became a tight, little family. "

"He cared. "

At school, where Matthew excelled in the arts, particularly drawing and photography, he saw his mother every day because she worked as a school bus driver.

"He'd always come up and give me a hug and kiss, no matter what, " said Donna. "He was always loving. "





'A damper' on graduation


By KATRINA M. RANDALL
Messenger Post Staff
Posted: Jul 27, 01:00 PM EDT

Victor seniors rallied around a mother who wasn't allowed to accept her deceased son's diploma during commencement.

VICTOR — On Matthew Gramlich's shelf, in his bedroom above his bed, sit his awards, his diploma and his ashes. 

He would have graduated on June 25 but in December, the 18-year-old senior from Victor Central School District died in a car accident in Farmington. 

Matthew — known for having many friends, being a hard worker and having a good sense of humor — couldn't accept his own high school diploma, so his mother, Donna Gramlich, did it for him.

Overshadowing the event was not only Matthew's absence but the school's decree that his mother would not be allowed to walk across the stage to receive his honorary diploma with the other graduates.

Donna Gramlich was presented with Matthew's degree privately, prior to the graduation ceremony.

The school's decision didn't sit well with her, nor with many of the graduates.
"No one agreed with them," said Anthony Marrero, a friend of Matthew's who circulated a petition during graduation rehearsal hoping to get school officials to change their mind.

It has been recently brought to the attention of several graduating seniors that 'School Policy' is once again obstructing the pursuit of happiness within our community," the petition began.

According to that policy, students who didn't earn all their credits don't get to walk across the stage on graduation night.

"He's dead — he died, it's not like it is his fault," said Marrero, who added that Matthew had received the most-improved-junior award the year before and had good grades. "He was going to make it."

Marrero got about 180 students to sign the petition in a short period of time and then gave it to the administration. But school officials wouldn't change their minds.

"I felt like all they cared about was that he didn't get enough credits for the year," said Donna Gramlich, a longtime bus driver for the district.

Superintendent Tim McElheran said the difficult decision was not made lightly.
"Anytime something like this happens, it's a tragedy," he said of the accident.

But "if they don't earn enough credits, they don't participate in the graduation ceremony," he continued. "Graduations are a celebration — it's just difficult."

It wasn't just that Donna Gramlich wanted to accept the diploma during graduation, she said, it was for the students who had supported her as well.

"Even though the kids wanted me to be up there, they still wouldn't let me," she said of the administrators. "I was pretty upset about it. It sort of put a damper on it."

Donna Gramlich has created a Web site in memory of Matthew at 
http://matthew-gramlich.memory-of.com

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Donna Gramlich accepts Matthew's honorary diploma from Victor High Principal Yvonne O'Shea a little bit before graduation.



I Still Miss You

It's been some time, since you've been gone 
I thought by now, I would be strong 
I think of you, and shed my tears 
I wonder who, will still my fears. 

Your memories remain, inside my heart 
My soul it seems, to be torn apart 
You told me secrets, I hold so dear 
I only wish, you would be near. 

I still miss and love you, can't you see 
I wish to hold, and talk with thee 
So many things, I could not say 
And now you've gone, so far away. 

You taught me to, in God believe 
You said he would always, take care of me
So take my hand, and guide me there 
And save a place, one day to share.

I love you Matt.

Love Always & Forever,

   Mom  





You Are Gone 

You are gone. 
You are at rest. 
But were still here. 
Trying to do our best.
Holding on to memories you left us with. 
Trying not to cry when we think of this. 
Meeting you was the very best of times 
loosing you is the worst that could of happened. 
And even thought I try hard not to cry. 
When I remember you my eyes start pouring 
like rain coming down the sky. 
Every body misses you and every body will. 
But you know what?   
This was god's will. 
So lets accept what's has happen.
Cause there is no turning back. 
Let’s just hope that we all go to 
the same place that he has.



Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging 
to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the Lord about it:

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied:

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."








As I Remember

As I remember you my child,
I think of how I miss you.
I see your face before me,
In almost everything I do.

You gave me so much happiness,
A reason to face each day.
The years that we were all alone,
Love sustained us along the way.

One could not ask for a sweeter child,
Than the one God gave to me.
Even if just for a few short years,
On earth He let you be.

I won't forget the love we shared,
Your laughter and your smile.
Your love and kindness for all others,
Will be remembered all the while.

And now I will put my trust,
Into the hands of our Father above.
Knowing you were a part of His plan,
For His children that He loves.


Thank You very much

Rhonda Rhodes 

son of 

http://craig-sehon.memory-of.com








                







        
      









         


















 






I'm over here, I'm over there
You can find me anywhere.
When you need me I'll be there.
No harm will come to you Mom
Cause now I'm faster than anyone.
I'm in the air, I'm on the ground
Believe me, Mom I'm still around.
My wings are big & I fly high,
And I see clearly from the sky.
I was your child in real life,
But now, I'm your guardian angel Mom
For the rest of your earthly life. 

"If you need me call and I will come"