Justin Matthew Gomez

Today we honor and celebrate the life of our dear friend and brother, Justin Mathew Gomez. Justin was a mild mannered and relatively private person, who did not talk a lot about his early life. At his passing, many people expressed their wish to know more about his life and the challenges he faced. Both Justin’s mother and father died when he was only 6 years of age. In the years immediately following their death, living arrangements for Justin and his older brother, Joseph, did not go well and so they were ultimately placed in the guardianship of his uncle Billy and his wife, Pina. His teenage years and adult life were lived out in the long beach area where he developed many friendships with buddies that shared his passion for video games. He attended Long Beach Poly High School, and after graduation began the pursuit of his life-long dream of becoming a video game designer. Justin later attended Devry University here in Long Beach to study video game design. At the time of his passing, he was employed at the Nyko Company—a manufacturer of video game accessories.

Justin’s final days of life, even though physically and emotionally painful, were filled with many moments of heartfelt laughter and love, which he shared in his hospital room with friends and family that came to cheer him up, and sadly to say goodbye. Perhaps the most poignant expression of Justin’s thoughts and feelings in his final weeks of life can be found on a Facebook post written by Pina. As she comforted Justin in the hospital, Pina observed how increasingly difficult it became for him to communicate. Frequently, the words that Justin wished to voice got trapped in his throat, as his illness cruelly began to rob him of his ability to speak. Pina, who over the years assumed the role of being his mom, felt compelled to speak for him when she saw that he could not speak for himself. This is what she believes Justin would have said:

“My life was not easy, to be left without a mother and father at such a young age was very difficult. So many people hurt me, but I discovered a sanctuary in the house of my auntie and uncle, Pina and Billy. They were my parents in the latter part of my life. Finally, I found the family that life had denied me. There are many unfulfilled dreams with my early departure, but I am in a better place, where nothing can hurt me ever again. I am, at last, reunited for all eternity with my Mother and Uncle Chucky. I give special thanks to my immediate family, Billy, Pina, Reggie, Loraine, Celina, Ariana, William, and long time companion and friend- Rashid Briggs. And although I faced difficult challenges in life, I give thanks to all my friends who helped me to know that life is precious and beautiful. I don’t want you all to let my death restrain your happiness; don’t allow my cancer to continue to cause any more pain than it already has. I am at peace now, in the warmth, soft embrace of my Mom; I am exchanging stories and laughs with my Uncle Chucky. I am no longer suffering or afraid. The cancer cannot reach me on the clouds that I share with my Mom and Uncle; nothing but love and happiness exist up here. Thank you all. I am so appreciative for the love and care you have all shown me. Please be happy, and enjoy life, because after all, life is short. And remember, when someone is in your heart, they’re never truly gone. I love you, guys, with all my heart.”

- Justin Matthew Gomez

Arrangements under the direction of Stricklin/Snively Mortuary, Long Beach, CA.