Bobby described himself with these words:

In a nutshell.  I was born on April 6th 1986 at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia, CA.  I am 16 years old and I play baseball, soccer, football and water polo.  I am one of those loud but shy people.  My favorite food is strawberry jell-o (not from school.)  My favorite baseball team is the Dodgers and my favorite soccer team is the Mutiny.  My favorite baseball player is probably… I don’t know but my favorite soccer player is Carlos Valderrama because of his fro and he is really good.  My favorite band is… I dunno.  I like rap and rock, but I like most of the bands.  I live a pretty boring life, so that’s all.

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Bobby Craine

 

Bobby Craine was born on April 6, 1986 in Visalia, California and went home to be with Jesus for his 16th birthday.  He is the much-loved son of Bob and Jeannie Craine and the epitome of a little brother to Danielle.  He is the namesake grandson of Vernon and Imogene Williams, Robert and Rose Craine, and Arlindo and Bernadette Baptista.  He will be lovingly missed by his aunts and uncles:  Bob and Shari Williams, Pam and Ken Bookout, Roberta and Don Stewart, Jim Craine, Marie Parker, Toni and Mike Fisher, Arlindo and Jena Baptista, Mark Baptista and Nikki Brady, and Christine and Victor Silva.  His cousins are:  Russell, Kimberly, and Melissa Stewart, McKenzie and Katie Williams, Nathaniel and Ellie Bookout, Vanessa DaSilveira, MacKenzie and Sam Fisher, Abigail Baptista, and Oliver and Victoria Silva.

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 Grace Community Church is where Bobby worshipped God and attended a small group of high school young men led by John Clark.  He treasured their Wednesday night GROW group meetings and Sunday morning services with the youth, as well as the many activities put on by the High School leadership team.

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 Bobby was a freshman at Golden West High School.  He was known as a good friend to many and loved making them laugh; unfortunately it was often during class time.  He endeavored to be someone others could confide in and would be “ there for them” whenever needed.

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 He enjoyed playing soccer, football, and water polo, but he loved playing baseball.  He bled Dodger blue and took pleasure in attending games and watching them on T.V.  He played tight end and defensive lineman on the Golden West Freshman Football team and catcher on the Baseball team.  He believed that hard work would make him a better athlete and was known for giving 100% effort during the off seasons and practice, in addition to games.

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 Bobby was also a member of the Men’s Chorus at Golden West and enjoyed singing many types of music, occasionally inappropriately.  He was looking forward to working hard and being a member of the Blazer Choir.

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 Often you could hear Bobby extolling the virtues of strawberry Jell-O’s taste and texture or impersonating characters such as Major Payne and others he had made up.  We will all miss his warm smile, infectious laugh, offbeat sense of humor, and tender heart.

 The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jason Tilley, Justin McClain, and Bobby Craine scholarship fund at Golden West High School.
 

Eulogy
presented by Bobby's Father Bob Craine   
 

 My son was incredible to me.  He was one of the two blessings God has given me.  The other is Danielle.  They both were always told that we love them equally and are proud of all their accomplishments.  I am so thankful that I remind them both that I love them often.   
 At 2 weeks of age Bobby started rolling over.  When it happened Jeannie couldn’t believe it, she put him back on his stomach and he did it again.  After the third time, we knew we were in trouble.  By 8 ½ months he was walking- well really running.  He would take off and go until he fell.  We took baby pictures in between bumps and bruises on his head. 

 I can’t remember when Bobby first started throwing a ball.  I can tell you that he wasn’t more than 2 years old.  Our first games of catch consisted of rolling a ball across the floor.  By the time he was 4 we had moved outside.  (It was getting dangerous with a real baseball inside the house.)  Playing catch was something that we continued to enjoy, even up to this past Easter.  Sometimes he would want to play so long that my arm felt like it was going to fall off.  We had a catch game we called 21 that we played where we would score points for each throw.  Half the fun was arguing over how many points a throw should score.   

 There always seemed to be a baseball in Bobby’s hand.  While he watched T.V. he would lie on the floor and toss the ball in the air.  (Did you know that baseballs make marks on ceilings?)  If he wanted to go to another room, he would put it on the floor and dribble it like a soccer ball down the hall.  Our baseboards are proof of it.  

 Any time he wanted, I would pitch batting practice.  We finally bought a pitching machine to save my arm and spent many Sunday afternoons at the cages working out and having fun.  

 Last year Bobby got in a slump and was really struggling with his bat.  He worked out extra with his coach, Mr. Ford, and then worked some more with Coach Jody Allen.  By the time he finished his hands were full of blisters.  We tried to convince him to wear gloves, but he wouldn’t.  He would say that he was “old school” baseball and liked to think that he had a Ty Cobb mentality.  

 Actually, Bobby had that kind of mentality in every sport he played.  He loved playing in the center halfback and being the goal keeper in soccer games.  He welcomed the opportunity to be the keeper during shootouts- his mom didn’t.  One particular situation that comes to mind is when he was in a under 10 yr. Old play-off game that ended in a tie.  Jeannie was having a very difficult time watching the shootout.  She kept saying loudly, “Oh Bobby.  Oh Bobby.”  I had to walk away from her because I enjoyed quietly watching him march on the field, get in position, and give all of his effort to diving for shot after shot to help his team. 

 When Bobby was in the third grade, his teacher decided to have him tested for the GATE program.  The test was given, but then lost so Bobby had to take it again.  And then lost again.  By the third time Bobby had enough of test taking, so he decided to flunk it on purpose.  When he told us we asked him “Why?”  He simply said that they just kept on giving it to him and he was tired of taking it. 

 When we asked Bobby about what was going on, he always told us the truth.  Many times he prepared us with the facts when he had been in trouble.  He knew that if we knew the truth, he would probably be in less trouble at home.  Sometimes though, I think he thought of driving teachers nuts, as a type of sport.  We always knew about the referrals long before they actually came. 

 Bobby’s name for me was Pop.  At first I didn’t appreciate it much, but it kind of grew on me.  If he wanted something he would tilt his head to the side and give me a big smile and then say, “Come on Pop.  I’ll give you a hug.”  It was tough resisting that.  

 We have always felt that our son was tender hearted.  This past week Bobby’s friends have shared with us the Bobby they knew.  We figured that he must be a good friend because of the quality of people he had around him.  We knew how important being a good friend was to him.  His friends have sent us e-mails, shared with us, and showed us things he wrote.  They all spoke of how he made them feel special and protected.  He refused to break a confidence and was willing to take the “rap” for a friend.  Often Bobby spoke of how he loved Justin and Jason and we will forever be grateful for the memories of sleepovers with the boys on the couches in the living room. 

 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you.  The agencies and individuals who worked so hard to find our boys and Pat, and were so very sensitive to us in this horrible situation.  The businesses that have donated their services and taken away as many worries as possible.  The friends who have served us, loved us, and taken care of our needs.  Our home church of Grace Community who has ministered and comforted us.  And our family, who has shared our grief with us each day, be it here or around the world.  We are in awe of how this community has supported us.  We know that God’s grace and your love have given us the strength to carry on each day, each hour, each moment. 

 Our confidence that Bobby, Jason, Justin, and Pat are in heaven makes the pain of their loss bearable.  So, ask yourself this question:  If you should die tomorrow, where will you go?  If you don’t know or are unsure, then today is the day you need to find out.  Seek out someone who can help you come to know Christ personally and then you can have the assurance that someday you will see our boys and Pat once again in heaven.

 

 Eulogy
presented by Danielle Craine, Bobby's Sister

  Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
 Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
 So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
 It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
 It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
 I hope you had the time of your life

 So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
 Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
 Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial 
 For what it´s worth, it was worth all the while
 It´s something unpredictable, but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life.
 --Green Day 

I put these lyrics in a letter that I wrote my Brother for formal.  And they seem to fit ever more so now.   My brother got to do a lot things that I haven’t gotten to do yet.  He went to formal before me, he’s had a wonderful relationship with someone before me, geez he’s even got his first kiss before me.  Now don’t get me wrong, we did fight a lot but we had some wonderful memories too.

In fact, he told me when I was bummed about not going to winter formal, “If you don’t have a date to Prom, I’ll take you”.  And then there was the time in the car on the way home from something, I told him, “I’m glad you’re my baby brother.”  And Bobby told me, “I’m glad you’re my sister.”  So, he knew how much I loved him and how proud I am of him.  I have so many memories.  All the baseball, soccer, football and even a few water polo games.  I loved watching him play.  He was so good!!  I’m going to miss it.  
 
The other night I was outside with my friend.  She was hugging me.  And of a sudden the breeze came up.  I knew it was Bobby hugging me.  He’d bribe me with hugs.   “If you do this…….I’ll give you a hug he’s say.”   Bobby is and was the greatest, loveable, romantic, huggable, laughing, little punk, honest, strong, innocent, wonderful baseball, football, water polo, and soccer player, courageous, and most of all a wonderful babybrother.  I love you Bobby.  And I know your watching me.

 

Eulogy
presented by Bobby's best friend, Danelle Evangelo
 
 I’m sure anyone that knew Bobby, knew that he was all boy. He was definitely Portuguese and way too proud of it. (Well, half actually, but he didn’t like to mention that) He loved hanging out and blowing things up with his two buddies, Jason and Justin. Baseball was way more than just a sport to Bobby, it was his true love. He talked about the game almost poetically. He was good too, and worked his butt off to be good. Always during baseball season, his hands would be beat up and blistered from batting practice.   

 To the world, Bobby was a tough guy, never afraid to have some fun, even if it did result in him getting in trouble. (Which happened quite a bit) He was truly a person who loved life. He was a loyal friend to everyone. He always there to stick up for his friends, and he had so many. Bobby was all about laughing. I would consider him the class clown, because he looked for every opportunity to make people smile.

 In the past two years, Bobby and I had gotten really close. We were together from our early eighth grade year until the beginning of this school year. After we broke up, our friendship didn’t falter, in fact, it got even stronger. I cared for him deeply and I know he cared for me.  We had so many late-night phone conversations, (that I know Mr. Craine never approved of) but they opened up a whole new person to me. We talked about life, and love, and God, even death. We shared our problems, and we often had some pretty big ones. A few times he cried on the phone, and more than a few times, I would cry too. But he would stop at nothing to comfort me when I was hurting, and he was usually the only one that could. It went so far, that one time when I was really upset, he left his house in the middle of the night and ran about a mile and a half to mine, just so he could comfort me. (This didn’t blow over too well with Mr. Craine either)   

 Once we actually got onto the topic of death, and what would happen if either of us were to die. He joked around at first, saying that a gang of baseball umps would get together and throw a party. Then he started naming a few people that he thought might come to his funeral. Can you imagine how much his head is swelling right now, knowing how many people are here, how many churches across the United States were praying for him and his friends? I bet those guys are up there now, lounging on their little clouds, feeling so loved and at peace. I hope there are no explosives allowed in heaven, because if there are, God is going to have a handful with those three. 

 He talked a lot about his friends and family with me. Bob, he tried so hard to make you proud, and he loved you more than you know. He saw you there at every baseball game and every football game. You were his rock. He wanted to please you and be like you. He told me that he knew you were proud of him; but that it wouldn’t make him stop trying. Jeannie, the same for you. He loved you so much more than I could put into words. The Bobby I knew was the type that needed a mommy, and you were always there for him. I told him once that you were the perfect mom, not too hot, not to cold. I believe that he got his protectiveness and loving heart from you. Danielle, I am so happy that I can finally tell you this. Bobby talked about you a lot. He wanted so much for you to be happy and he loved you too. He would've done anything for you. Emma, you know that he thought of you as his sister. I can’t tell you how many conversations we had about you. He thought of you as his angel, you were always there for him when I wasn't, and for that, I thank you. To all of Bobby’s friends and family, I hope you know how much you all meant to him, and how much he loved you. I am so happy that he got to take two of his best friends home with him, and I trust them, and God to take good care of him.   
I know Bobby is listening to me right now, and I just have to say that if I could, I would kick him right in the butt, because this has been the worst week of my life. I cry because I have lost something that the word friend doesn't cover, and I will have to adjust my whole life to go on without him, because I feel as if half of me is gone. But at the same time I am praising God, thanking him, for taking Bobby away from this hard world and into his arms. I don’t know that I deserved the short time I had with Bobby but I am so grateful that God put him in my life, because I am left a changed person. I know now that I will do everything in my power to live the life that God wants me to live, so that some day, I might be with him again in heaven. Bobby, I loved you more than words can tell, and I will go on loving you until the day that I die. 

 

Eulogy
presented by Pastor Jason on behalf of Aunt Roberta Stewart

You Are in Our Hearts Always

We are so far away and had so little Time to spend with you. We hardly knew you yet we knew you so well. We shared your life and watched you grow into the Nephew and cousin we loved. You were the little blonde-headed boy who Visited Australia. As you grew you held our attention with your rock climbing, Waterpolo, football, and baseball. You were the smiling young man we met up with on our internet linkups. Through technology we had an opportunity to see you and visit with you recently and hold that vision close forever. We gave you the first clue on your 16th birthday to start you off on your scenic flight. We have no regrets as we know you were having the greatest birthday with your two best friends. Our only regret is that we did not have the chance to get to know you better, to see you more often. You are in our hearts always, though we can not watch you grow old, we will remember you always.

Our lives will never be the same, but your smile and the memories remain in our hearts. You will always be with us. 

 Love to Bob, Jeannie, Danielle, and the families of Jason, Justin and Pat.

-Roberta, Don, Russell, Kimberly and Melissa Stewart-
  

Eulogy
presented by Emma Quinley at the Golden West High School Memorial

 This is for you Pappa Bear

Bobby was a wonderful guy. We have been friend for about three years, and through that three years we have been through a lot. This year we became the best of friends. He would call me and tell me about stuff that went on that day or something that had been bugging him and needed to talk about. I would call and whine about a guy or just talk to him about nothing. But he was always there for me. I have said this so many times before, but Bobby was my little brother. We helped each other out so much. We talked together and laughed together. But he was always there. Bobby could be a pain in the butt, as we all know, but there was always that caring, loving, sensitive guy. He never wanted people to be sad. If they were, he would crack a joke or make you laugh, just to change the mood.

I remember so many things about the times that we spent together. I would go to his football games with a special sign that I made for him. His friends would kinda laugh cuz this crazy girl was out there yelling for him. But Bobby thought that it was cool cuz there was a girl there for him. We would talk on the phone and he would just go off about the referral he got and how proud he was that he got it. There are so many more special times but I only have a little time to share so many years worth of memories.

It depends on when you catch me, but through all of this, since the very beginning I knew that God was gonna be there and not leave any of us. God didn’t leave me, God didn't leave the families, God didn't leave the boys. He was just up there with his arms wide open, ready and waiting for Bobby, Jason, Justin, and Pat to come home. God has helped comfort me through all of this. The past year prayer has been a major thing in my life. Now more than ever. God has answered my prayers whether or not it was what I wanted. But he has answered them.

Bobby got the best birthday present he could ever have gotten. He got to be with God and have God tell him face to face, "Happy Birthday!!"

I am gonna miss him so much. Just like all of you, but we have to remember that he is up there in heaven and wouldn't want us to be sad. I love Bobby with all my heart and that will never leave me.
 

Poems and Writings
Below you will find some of our son's.

 

Just A Game?

By Bobby Craine

          Billions upon billions of men, women, and children all over the world, have been blessed with the privilege to grace the presence of a baseball diamond.  We were gifted with the holy write to feel our cleats sink into the soft turf, like a little child in thick mud.  

            There have been many different kinds of baseball played over the years.  It has come from stick-ball, played in civil war camps with as little as a branch from a tree, four hats, and a rock; all the way to the MLB, where it is played in billion dollar stadiums, with the latest technology in gloves, bats, and bases. 

            Recently I got to see a professional baseball game in Los Angeles.  As soon as I step into the baseball atmosphere something comes over me like I am an addict and being around the sport is my nicotine patch. 

            In conclusion I leave you with one, excruciating, yet simple, question; Just a game?  Or is it something deeper, something that gets inside you and overwhelms you with joy or sorrow; all depending on the outlook of a fall night.

 

Fan Fest

By Bobby Craine

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             Baseball owes fans for what they do, 

             When umps make bad calls who else is gonna boo?  

             They step into the stadium and see the lights,  

             As they hope to see history made, 

             Or maybe just a team fight,  

             They get a bad rep for drinking beer,  

             But that makes the fun stuff come out, 

             Like “Sit down,” “You suck,” and “Get outa here,”  

            Either way fans come rain or shine,

            So show some respect even if they are a little drunk or out of line. 

 

 Friends

By Bobby Craine

~Just because some one doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

~A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart

. I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

You learn to love, not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

the hardest thing to do is watch the one you love... love someone else

Friends are people who bail you out of jail....BEST friends are the ones sitting next to you saying "now that was fun"

 

Lion Tamer

by Bobby Craine   

You clip the wings of a free bird,

You cage the voice of something that deserves to be heard.

 You conform life to your own straight hair,

Now the life begs for the chair,

You exposed a baby to a world hate,

Now that I’m here I hope its not to late,

I will free the lion from its stupid act,

I will kill you and that’s a fact.

   (Don’t worry Mrs. Swisher I’m not going to kill anyone, I promise)

 

 The Speech
By Bobby Craine

When I graduated from 6th grade I thought it was the best day of my life.  Little did I know what lay ahead of me.  You know how everyone has doubts and stuff about moving to another school, ya, well I never got around to having those.  I knew I would know a good portion of the students at Valley Oak and that I would meet new friends.  At first I was kind of worried about what the teachers thought about me; but as you can guess, I grew out of that.   

When I first got my class schedule at orientation I acted cool and calm and pretended I knew what it said, but then I realized that I didn’t have a clue.  I had some teacher named Mrs. LaMunyon three times.  Initially I thought it was a typo, but then I compared it to my buddies and found out that they each had a teacher three times a day.  I also learned that the P.E. teachers didn’t take kindly to people telling them they were wrong.  I did my first 50 pushups at orientation for telling Mr. Robles my locker combo wasn’t right- shortly after I got a new locker combo that worked.       

My first day of school was like any other typical teenage guys.  I wanted to make a good first impression with the ladies so I thought to myself, “Self, if I were a hot chick looking for a cool 7th grade guy I would wanna see him with another cool 8th grade guy.”  So I went to school with my next-door neighbor, Harley Taylor.  I learned quickly the universal handshake of the gangster, (Which I still use daily) the walls, the color of the walls, and the walls numbers.  At first this was confusing because the wall that was supposed to be associated with the number 14 always had a huge 13 written on it? 

After the first two or three weeks I started getting comfortable with people and started saying weird stuff.  I began to get nicknames from my fellow students.  By the end of my 8th grade year I was known by some as Superman, others by B-dog, to some I was Vern, and to those who knew me best, well, just Bob.  I also started to dish out the names like Mr. Three or Wonder Woman, and my very own personal favorite Lil’ Dough.  I also started to do some weird stuff.  My 7th grade core teacher always found that her T.V. controller had no batteries and that her teacher’s edition would disappear the day that we had a test.  

I grew out of that sort of thing during my 8th grade year when we actually started to get into trouble for jokes like “borrowing” a whole bunch of Brad Pitt pictures.  Let’s just say now that I am being graded on my speech, I hold a new respect for the B-Man.  

          I have learned many things over my Junior High career but none as important as how to get along with people.  Not only just with people like me, but with people of different ethnicities, different ages, and different social statuses.        
I had some great times during my days of pride here at Valley Oak, the jokes, the friends, the teachers, and the women.  As I stand here before my past teachers and peers, I realize that I among many others here today, am getting a whole different perspective on life.  I find myself contemplating the phrase, “High school is the gateway to the rest of your life,” because, even though the next four years of our life can determine what college we may go to, they aren’t going to be a gateway to anything for us.  They’re simply going to be, our life.