Our Story
One life. Countless memories. A legacy of adventure.
Some people have a way of leaving their mark on the world—not through grand gestures or extraordinary accomplishments, but simply through the way they live and the way they make others feel.
Quinton “Q” Perry was one of those people.
He was funny, fiercely loyal, adventurous, and unapologetically himself. He had a quick wit, a sarcastic sense of humor, and an incredible ability to make the people around him laugh. But beneath the jokes and perfectly timed one-liners was a genuinely kind heart.
Q had a way of making people feel like they belonged.
And while his life was far too short, the impact he made continues to reach further than we ever could have imagined.
This is his story—and the story of how one unforgettable adventure became the inspiration for something much bigger.
This is Q.
The life of the party. The friend who showed up. The boy who loved big.
If you knew Q, chances are you have a story about him.
Maybe it's something ridiculous he said at exactly the wrong—or right—moment. Maybe it's a memory of him making everyone laugh when they needed it most. Or maybe it's one of those quieter moments when he showed you just how much he cared.
Q was witty, sarcastic, and rarely at a loss for words. He could be wonderfully blunt, but he also had a gentle side that the people closest to him knew well.
He loved his people deeply.
His friends were a huge part of his world. He enjoyed being surrounded by them, making memories, finding something to laugh about, and simply spending time together. Whether they were hanging out, getting food, or dreaming about what life might look like after graduation, Q was happiest when he was with the people he loved.
At home, he was a son, brother, and family member who brought just as much laughter as he did love. He shared a special bond with his younger sister, who could count on him for affection, comfort, and those little moments of closeness that become some of the most treasured memories.
He loved anime, sushi, ramen, and sunsets. He appreciated a good joke, a spontaneous plan, and the kind of ordinary moments that become extraordinary simply because of the people you're sharing them with.
Q also knew how to work hard.
At Pizza Hut, where he spent much of his time, his coworkers became a second family. He was often the one closing up, helping others, and making even the busiest shifts a little more entertaining. He had that same welcoming spirit with new coworkers at other jobs, taking time to help people find their footing and feel included.
He wasn't someone who needed to be the center of attention to make an impact. His personality naturally drew people in.
And the more stories we hear about him, the more one thing becomes clear: Q made people feel seen, accepted, and loved.
Big Dreams, Simple Goals.
Like most teenagers, Q was still figuring out exactly what he wanted his future to look like.
He talked about attending Universal Technical Institute with his best friend and brother, exploring opportunities in mechanics, electronics, and perhaps one day building something of their own.
But what stands out most about Q's hopes for the future is how beautifully simple they were.
In a senior-year school assignment, he wrote:
“My goal after high school is to be successful and happy.”
And for his final year of high school:
“My goal for this year is to enjoy my last year of high school.”
Those words say so much about him.
He wanted to be happy. He wanted to enjoy the people and experiences around him. He wanted to live.
And in so many ways, he already knew how.
Costa Rica • June 2023
In June 2023, Q boarded a plane with classmates and teachers from the Brookville Area School District's Spanish program for a trip to Costa Rica.
It wasn't just another school activity.
Q had worked hard to make the experience possible, raising thousands of dollars to participate. He was excited to travel, explore a different culture, and experience a part of the world he had never seen before.
During the trip, he celebrated his 17th birthday.
He went whitewater rafting, explored the beauty of Costa Rica, experienced new traditions, and made memories with classmates that would stay with him long after returning home.
But something about the experience reached him on a deeper level.
Throughout Costa Rica, the words Pura Vida are more than a greeting or a familiar expression. Literally translated as “pure life,” they represent a way of approaching the world—with gratitude, joy, connection, appreciation, and an openness to whatever life brings.
During the trip, one of the local guides described Q as the embodiment of Pura Vida.
For those who knew him, it was a perfect description.
Q had a natural ability to embrace the moment, connect with people, find humor in almost anything, and make the most of the experiences in front of him.
He wasn't simply learning what Pura Vida meant.
He was living it.
When Q returned home, he spoke about Costa Rica as one of the greatest experiences of his life.
And he wanted to carry a piece of it with him forever.
He had the words “Pura Vida” tattooed on his wrist.
What began as a school trip had become something much more meaningful—a lasting reminder of an experience that had changed the way he saw the world.
None of us could have known just how meaningful those two words would become to our family.
The Adventure That Changed Everything
A Life That Continues to Inspire
On December 16, 2023, Q's life was tragically cut short in a vehicle accident.
He was just 17 years old.
There are no words that can fully describe the loss of someone so young, so loved, and so full of life. There were milestones still ahead, dreams still unfolding, and countless memories we imagined we would have the opportunity to make together.
But even in the heartbreak of losing him, one thing has remained constant.
Q's life was so much bigger than the day we lost him.
He was the laughter around a table, the friend who made room for someone new, the brother who loved fiercely, and the teenager who believed happiness was a goal worth pursuing.
He was the boy who worked hard to travel to Costa Rica and returned home with a new appreciation for the world.
He was the person whose kindness and humor left lasting impressions on classmates, coworkers, friends, and family.
And he was the boy who lived Pura Vida long before he ever knew the words.
After his passing, those words became a special part of how we remembered and celebrated him.
They appeared in tributes, on memorial items, and in the ways we continued to honor his life through birthdays, graduation, and other milestones.
Over time, they became more than a reminder of Q.
They became a reminder of how he would want us to live.
To embrace the adventure.
To appreciate the people around us.
To find joy, even in the smallest moments.
To make the most of the life we've been given.
And eventually, they became the inspiration for a way to share that spirit with others.
