Anthony Ariapad January 24, 1992 - August 3, 2021

Anthony (Tony) Ariapad

Anthony (Tony) Ariapad, 29, died peacefully in his sleep, Tuesday August 3, 2021 in the home of his beloved caregivers Erin and Richard Quigley of Leesburg, Ohio. Tony was the cherished son of Connie (Paul) Kroos and BJ (Dana) Ariapad and loving brother of Amir (Melissa) Ariapad, BiJan (Sandra) Ariapad and Alex (Kara) Ariapad. He will be greatly missed by some very special people Erin and Richard Quigley and their two sons Caleb (Kayla), Trevor (Brittany) and MaKynna Quigley.

Tony was born in Cincinnati. Ohio and lived for 10 years in Finneytown where he attended MRDD Preschool and then Breyer School in Hamilton County. At 9 months of age Tony began experiencing horrible seizures which nearly resulted in death on numerous occasions. The seizures created neurological problems which severely affected his development. Tony’s last word spoken was “Mom” at age 4. The seizures continued over the rest of his life. Medications and other treatments only helped short term. Tony needed 24/7 care which his mother wasn’t able to provide because of financial demands and the care of Tony’s two brothers. At age 9 Tony moved to a group home in Leesburg, Ohio with the Quigley’s who gave him the care he needed. He lived with them for 19 years where he was able to transition into adulthood meeting many challenges that most people take for granted.

Tony could not verbalize his feelings but he could express his love with a look, with a smile, with a touch. Love isn’t only shared through words; love is much deeper than words. He always recognized family and was so happy to be around them. Tony taught us how to be happy because he took joy in simple things – joy in seeing his family, joy in eating food, drinking a coke, taking a car ride and playing “general store” in the bathroom.

Tony gave us the gift of unconditional love. Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it’s not easy. It’s loving because you simply can’t help but love. That is the greatest triumph of any life. To love and be loved. Tony taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reasons.

Tony gave us many gifts. He helped us see the beautiful souls of those who took care of him the ones who bore most of the caretaking tasks, day after day, month after month. We could look to him for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as he continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush many of us. He showed us what it is to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up and found in the tiniest of victories. His 29 years were filled with these challenges. Tony was our rainbow. Through the tough times, through the storms of adversity and the challenges and the pain, he shone through with a special light. We can be assured like the rainbow; Tony was a blessing from God. We can both mourn the loss of his life and we can celebrate the life he led and the lessons he gave us. The best gift he gave us, was his very life. He was a gift. For all the ways he taught us about life, love, perseverance for all the ways he inspired us to be better and for all the love he gave while he was here with us, he was a gift to each of us. Tony’s struggles are now over and his soul is with God. When you look at a storm but then see a rainbow you have met Tony.

A celebration of Tony’s life was held on Monday August 9th at 3 PM at First Presbyterian Church (441 Jefferson St. Greenfield, OH 45123

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 16th 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Arlington Memorial Gardens Lakeside Chapel, 2145 Compton Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45231 (Follow the red line)

Memorial Service will begin at 10:30 with graveside services to follow.

Memorial donations can be made to Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, 895 Central Ave Suite 550, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati P.O. Box 75, Milford, OH 45150

Map to the Garden of Trees