Day Funeral Home

He was the kind of kid who did as much as he could for others, even if he didn't have the time to do it, especially if it meant doing something kind.Then, on Aug. 4, 2015, at his home in Holmdel, that selfless life came to an end.Now his father, Dennis, is trying to extend that spirit, nearly 18 months after Dylan's suicide seemed to end all thoughts of hope. Vassallo has started "The Kindness Challenge," a Facebook page that has more than 72,000 followers and where people post anything that's intended to make people feel better about their own lives.More specifically, it's supposed to change the subject from the rancor that's dominated social media recently — and especially since the presidential election — and give people the opportunity to advertise the goodness of the world. "I like and love all of my friends regardless of their opinions," Dennis Vassallo wrote in a Facebook post. "I don’t like all the anger. It is really disheartening.""I was told a very long time ago that I am either part of the problem or part of the solution."What he got was something that was intended for a few friends and family, he said, but then grew into something big and beautiful.Some of the stories that people have posted include:A woman talked about how somebody gave a perfect stranger their extra Bed Bath and Beyond coupon. "A nice gentleman was able to buy a second item he was contemplating purchasing [but nearly didn't because of] his 'tight budget.'"A man was inspired to knock on doors to inquire about an emaciated animal he saw in a yard. After seeking help and intervention, the owner agreed to give up the horse, and an "amazing" couple in his neighborhood with an empty shed and paddock agreed to take her in. The mare now is limited in mobility "but has a will to live."These kind of acts would have been the kind of thing Dylan would still be doing if he had found a will to live on himself.Dylan served as an altar boy at St. Benedict’s of Holmdel for eight years. He had been a lifelong communicant of the church.Dylan was an active volunteer and "person...

DiPiero, 70, passed away on Saturday, October 29 at New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City.Faith, family and tradition were some of the hallmarks of Rose’s life. She was known for her warmth, generosity and maternal love – for her family and beyond.She was born in Camden to the late Salvatore and Rose ne´e Serio Petarra and lived in Middletown for the past 36 years.Rose is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Domenic M. DiPiero; two sons Domenic M. DiPiero III and his wife Hilary and David M. DiPiero; a daughter Donna R. Gibson and her husband Christopher; five grandchildren: Domenic IV, Isabella, Grace, Ava and Christopher; and a sister Joan Bell.“Rose DiPiero was truly a great example of faith,” said Msgr. Philip A. Lowery, pastor of St. James Church, Red Bank. “A wonderful lady who truly lived out the Gospel message each day of her life.”A Eucharistic Minister at St. James, Rose attended Mass every day, brought Holy Communion to the hospitals, hosted Rosary Society meetings at her home, visited pilgrimages and Catholic holy sites around the world, and prayed every day for a long list of people that stretched back decades. She prayed at football games, not necessarily for the team her family was rooting for – or playing with. She prayed that no one would be hurt.Karen Fitzgerald, director of the Red Bank chapter of Birthright, a crisis pregnancy center, was a fellow Eucharistic Minister at St. James. “Rose was an extremely generous, kind person, and a loyal supporter of Birthright,” she said, noting Rose’s frequent donations to Birthright needs such as clothing, diapers, formula and more. A familiar and reassuring face at 8 a.m. daily Mass, she brought comfort to many, according to Fitzgerald.Rose often hosted a traditional Roman Catholic ritual known as the May Crowning, honoring the Virgin Mary, at her home in May. Her friends and many St. James parishioners looked forward to attending the annual event.Rose’s faith and commitment was notable, according to Lowery. “I could never say enough outstanding things about her and ...

The funeral service and burial will come a day before Meghann Smith, 24, was to marry Kenneth Belcher at a ceremony in West Point.The funeral will be at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Thomaston with Rev. Bill Barber and Rev. Joy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.There will be two visitations on Thursday, one in LaGrange and the other in Thomaston. From 10 a.m. to noon, the family will receive friends at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange. The second visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home in Thomaston.Smith is survived by her mother, Kenya Jackson (Gary) Campbell of Thomaston; her father, Barry (Kathy) Smith of LaGrange; her fiance, Kenneth Belcher of LaGrange; her grandparents, Elmo and Betty Jackson of Thomaston and Bruce and Alice Smith of LaGrange; a sister, Olivia K. (Cam) Ellis of LaGrange; two brothers, Matthew D. Barr of Auburn, Ala. and Trey Smith of LaGrange.The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Troup County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1351, LaGrange, Ga., 30241. They are asking that the contributions be earmarked for the new Doggie Park sponsored by the Humane Society.They are also asking for contributions in Smith’s memory to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 1000 Circle 75 Parkway No. 45, Atlanta, Ga., 30339.Smith had been in Columbus to celebrate the upcoming wedding with girlfriends. She died as the result of a three-vehicle crash at 1:22 a.m. in the northbound lane of of I-185 between the Airport Thruway exit and the J.R. Allen Parkway exit.She was a passenger in the back seat of a northbound Kia Soul that was struck by a southbound Nissan Maxima that crossed the median. A Chevrolet also was struck.Columbus police determined alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash. Columbus Police Sgt. Fred Carnes confirmed on Monday that two of the three drivers involved were believed to be under the influence at the time of the wreck. That did not include the driver of the car in which Smith was a passenger, Carnes said. Smith wa...