Obituary of Liam Michael Peto

Liam Michael Peto passed away on February 26, 2021 in his home in Pompano Beach, Florida. Liam was born February 7, 1997 in Ridgewood, NJ. He spent most of his life in Pequannock, New Jersey, before moving to Florida in 2017, where he worked selling health insurance. Liam was an independent, loving, sweet and kind person. He loved his family and friends fiercely and his sense of humor was always bubbling beneath the surface. He had an infectious grin and made friends easily. Liam was resourceful and determined once his mind was set. He could also be incredibly "chill" and unconcerned about the stressors that would keep many of us up at night, confident that things would work out somehow. He had big dreams and hoped to be a financial success in his chosen field, and looked forward to living the life to which he hoped to become accustomed. Unfortunately, Liam also endured a long battle with addiction. It is difficult to know if the depression and anxiety with which he struggled were part of his addiction, or part of the cause. Either way, Liam fought valiantly against it, always trying to overcome his determined foe. The ups and downs were hard on him and hard on those who loved him, but Liam never gave up. Inherent desire for that "normal life" he felt eluded him kept him striving for one more try at recovery. We will never know how or why he succumbed one last time, after more than 100 days sober. Despite all this he was truly loved by many, and for this we are grateful. Liam had a way about him that touched people. From his earliest days in Child Care there would always be one staff person who wanted to take him home, and a couple of chosen friends who became his posse. He was never long without a girl, handsome, friendly guy that he was, willing to let you in and to talk for hours, usually late into the night. He was lovable, charming, and sensitive. When he became interested in something, he committed to it entirely, whether it was working out, making the most sales, or collecting Yeezy Boost 350 sneakers. Liam could also be stubborn and obstinate, convinced that his way was the right way, but he could eventually think things through and would admit when he was mistaken. "I'm sorry", more likely "My bad" were words Liam was capable of uttering, and did. We, his family, are grateful to have spent the past 2 and a half months with Liam. He was home for Christmas and for his birthday. We consider this his last gift to us. Liam was our baby, our sweet boy, our troubled adolescent, and our beloved son, nephew and cousin. He will be greatly missed by many, but we take comfort in knowing that his soul is at peace, at long last, and we are sure that he will continue to watch over those he loved for the rest of our days. Liam is survived by his parents, Kimberley Shane Peto and William Peto, his maternal aunt, Rachel Badalamenti, maternal uncle and aunt Guy and Patti Shane, and paternal aunts and uncles, Patricia and Howard Bendrot, and Lisa and John Sharp. He is also survived by his cousins, Rowan and Maddyn Badalamenti, Wyatt, Sawyer and Quinn Shane, Bill Bendrot, Brandon and Griffin Sharp. Finally, Liam is survived by Emma Hoeflich and their son, Vincent. A memorial service will be planned in the future. Donations in Liam's memory can be made to First Step Behavioral Health in Pompano Beach, Florida (firststepbh.com.)