Support Josh Musikar's Memorial and Burial

With profound sadness, I have to announce the death of my first nephew Josh Musikar. My nephew was a bright light who was my parents first grandchild. He had a special bond with my parents and was the only grandchild that they were able to watch grow up. Josh suffered from mental illness. He was diagnosed with bipolar at an early age . This disease cost him his dream of being in the military. He loved all this military and during High school in Peekskill NY he was able to be part of the JR ROTC. He managed to get into relationships with others that had similar mental health issues having three children which he was unable to be a part of his life due to his mental illness. His search for happiness took him to various places. He last lived in North Dakota when he died. My nephew wanted to work but could not hold down a job. Without money he couldn’t afford medications that kept him mentally stable. Yes Josh had family that tried to help him. He knew he could call his relatives and did so. Know that he never mentioned being suicidal. But did mention being severely depressed and struggling. It is also very hard to get adults placed into a hospital especially those like Josh. Here is where the system failed him. He was able to get a gun. I am guessing that there was no background check as they would have found out he had felony charges and a history of mental illness. As in the case of the other young man he was able to go to a shooting range and he too did not have to pass a background check or evaluation. The guns did not kill them rather the fact that it was easier and quicker to access them rather than get the help that they needed. Josh was only 33. Suicide is never the answer . Instead of condolences please make a donation to suicide and mental health causes. Please advocate for better background checks on those able to obtain firearms. Most of all please make sure that the people you love know you are there in the darkness as well as the light. May his fond memories be celebrated and remembered. We are looking to get him home and buried in Florida with his grandparents Syd and Jay Musikar and his baby brother Seth via a go fund me. PLEASE reach out to his parents Merrill Musikar AND Gladass Hongach and support them.