Jony’s Story
MEET JONY
Jony was so much more than the loss that brought The J.O.N.Y. Project into being. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, teammate, friend, and a deeply loved part of his family and community. He loved sports, adventure, being outdoors, and spending time with the people closest to him. This is the story of his life, the people who loved him, and the legacy they continue to carry forward.
THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM BEST
Jony’s life was shaped by the people around him — his family, cousins, friends, teammates, and the people who shared the ordinary moments that became the memories they hold closest.
GROWING UP, SURROUNDED BY LOVE
Jony grew up surrounded by family, cousins, laughter, and the kind of everyday moments that become priceless with time. These are the people and memories that helped shape who he was long before The J.O.N.Y. Project ever existed.
FRIENDS, FOOTBALL & BELONGING
Jony found connection in the people he laughed with, played beside, and showed up for. Football, friendship, and being part of a team gave him a sense of belonging that became an important part of who he was.
THE MOMENTS THAT MADE HIM JONY
Some of the best memories are the ordinary ones — the laughs, adventures, inside jokes, quiet moments, and little things that made Jony unmistakably himself. These are the moments his family and friends still carry with them every day.
CARRYING JONY FORWARD
After Jony’s death, the people who loved him were faced with an impossible question: what do we do with all of this love now? The J.O.N.Y. Project grew from that question — turning grief into action through youth mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, kindness, community connection, and opportunities that help young people feel supported, included, and seen.
HIS STORY SPARKED ACTION
Jony’s story did not end with his death. It became part of a larger call for action — for stronger suicide-prevention measures, more honest conversations about youth mental health, and greater attention to the places where lives can be saved. His family, teammates, community, and others who were moved by his story helped push that conversation forward.
MAY 2025 — A CALL FOR SAFER BRIDGES
Jony was the third person to die after jumping from Portsmouth-area bridges in less than two weeks. Within days of his death, six signs displaying the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline were installed on the Piscataqua River Bridge. The signs carried a simple message: “There is hope. YOU MATTER.” His death also intensified calls for physical barriers and stronger suicide-prevention measures on the bridge.
THE PUSH FOR PHYSICAL BARRIERS CONTINUED
Maine and New Hampshire moved forward with a formal feasibility study to evaluate suicide-prevention barriers on the Piscataqua River Bridge. The study examined possible designs, structural impacts, and safety considerations, marking an important step toward a more permanent physical prevention measure.
APRIL 2026 — BARRIER SYSTEMS RECOMMENDED
A feasibility study identified wire-net fencing and rod fencing as the leading suicide-prevention options for the Piscataqua River Bridge. Maine and New Hampshire then moved into a second phase of engineering analysis to determine how those systems could safely work with the existing bridge structure. As of the latest public reporting, a final barrier system had not yet been approved or installed.
AUGUST 2025 — HIS TEAM CARRIED THE MESSAGE FORWARD
As Sanford football prepared for a season without Jony, his teammates and coaches spoke publicly about grief, mental health, and the importance of asking for help. They shared memories of the teammate and friend they loved while using their platform to encourage young people—especially teenage boys—to speak up, check on one another, and know that asking for help is a sign of strength.
JOURNEY ON. NEVER YIELD.
Jony’s legacy lives in the way people choose to show up for one another. Through The J.O.N.Y. Project, his name continues forward through acts of kindness, youth mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, community connection, and opportunities that remind young people they are seen, supported, and never alone.