By His Grandsons 

Most people spend their lives chasing success. 

They chase money, awards, and recognition. 

But when a person's life is over, none of those things are what people talk about most. They talk about who showed up. 

Who sacrificed. 

Who was kind to others. 

Who loved their family. 

That's why our Papa was one of the most successful men we've ever known. 

Papa spent his entire life putting his family first. He worked hard, made sacrifices, and made sure the people he loved were taken care of. Whether it was providing for his family, helping others, or simply being there when someone needed him, he never stopped giving of himself. He showed us 

that real success isn't measured by money or titles—it's measured by the people who love you and the legacy you leave behind. 

Our dad tells us stories about going to Yankees and Mets games with Papa, playing catch, and shooting basketballs together. Those weren't just games to him. They were opportunities to spend time with his family and create memories that would last forever. 

We have our own memories too. We remember his stories, his sense of humor, and how proud he was of our family. We especially remember how much he loved EARNED. 

As two brothers who started EARNED, nobody was more proud of us than Papa. He wore EARNED shirts and hoodies everywhere he went and told people about the company whenever he had the chance. To him, the logo stood for something important: hard work, perseverance, character, and showing up for the people who matter most. 

Those were values he lived every day. 

Long before EARNED became a brand, Papa was living the EARNED mindset. He believed that anything worthwhile required hard work, consistency, and sacrifice. He earned the respect of everyone around him because of the way he treated people, and he earned the love of his family because he always put them first. 

When Papa passed away, he was surrounded by family. Later, he was honored with military and police tributes for his service to our country and community. We were proud to see those honors, but that's not what we will remember most. 

We will remember his love, his sacrifices, and the example he set. 

Papa was a great dad, a great Papa, and a great man. 

Some people leave behind accomplishments. 

The best people leave behind family, values, and memories.

Papa left all three. 

He earned a life that mattered.