Giovanni Zamora
2002 – 2025
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Giovanni came into this world with a head full of dark hair and the most beautiful brown puppy-dog eyes. From the very beginning, he was curious and full of life. As a little boy, he explored everything he could reach — hiding in stores just to see if we could find him, or covering his room in clouds of baby powder simply because he wanted to see what would happen. He was inquisitive, mischievous, bright, and completely unforgettable.

In elementary school, we began to notice that learning did not come easily to him. After many evaluations, Giovanni was diagnosed with learning disabilities and processing delays. Soon after, he was also diagnosed with early-onset bipolar disorder and extreme ADHD. His childhood became
filled with doctor visits, testing, speech therapy, counseling appointments, play therapy, and countless other interventions meant to help him succeed.

Growing up in special education was not easy for Giovanni. He felt different. He felt behind. He struggled more than most people ever knew. By his junior year of high school, he made the decision that traditional school was not for him. It was a turning point in his life.

After leaving school, Giovanni began experimenting with alcohol and drugs. What started as experimentation slowly became a way to numb the pain he carried that he didn't talk about. His substance use escalated over time, and eventually he experienced homelessness. For more than six years, Giovanni battled addiction.

As his family, we lived in constant worry. We swung between tough love and desperate concern. We begged him to seek treatment. We feared the phone call that no parent ever wants to receive. We missed him deeply during those years because our family is incredibly close, and addiction creates distance even when love remains strong.

On November 4, 2025, we received the call we had dreaded for over six years. Giovanni passed away from an accidental overdose involving three different substances. His death shattered us. We grieve not only the future we will never share with him — the milestones, the laughter, the life he should have had — but also the years that addiction stole from him while he was still here. If addiction were treated with the same urgency, compassion, and medical intensity as cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, perhaps we would still have him here with us.

Giovanni was one of the kindest, most caring people we knew. He never showed up empty-handed; he always had a small gift for someone. He had a way of making us laugh when we least expected it. He was deeply loving and, more than anything, he simply wanted to be loved in return. He had a heart of gold. He loved his family so much.

Giovanni was not his addiction. He was not his worst days. He was not his struggle or darkness. He was our son. Our brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, friend. He was deeply loved, and he will be forever missed.

After he passed someone said, "He is more alive now than we are" and this could not be more true. Giovanni is free of the weight of his human existence, and is now watching over all of us. We all wish we could have just one more conversation with him, or one more Giovanni hug.

And I know he'll be upset if I don't mention this about him so here we go....

Giovanni grew to be 6'5" tall and wore a size 14 shoe. He literally was larger than life. He had a natural flair for fashion, and he was an amazing dresser. I was always boggled as to how he grew to be so tall, but now I know. From the second he took his first breath, until he took his last, he was meant to STAND OUT and he was meant to be REMEMBERED.

We were blessed to have 23 years with him, and we all will think of him everyday until the day we get to see him again. Rest in peace my sweet, beautiful boy. We love you Giovanni! ♥️