ROCHESTER N.Y. – Those close to William Martinez gathered to remember him Monday night, two months after he died from an overdose.

“When I came down the stairs, the cops came back and took his body,” said his mother, Wanda Martinez. “The hardest thing was to let him go.”

Vanessa Desmore, one of William’s three siblings, said her brother was popular and loved by many, but he battled demons that ultimately might have played a role in his death.

Instead of being sad, she encouraged those gathered to celebrate the good times spent with other families who knew the same pain.

 “Where there’s so much darkness, to bring light is so important,” she said.

Janet Heaven lost her son Chad, a former Marine.

“When he wasn’t using, he was awesome, but when he was using it was horrible,” she said. “If I could have him back, now, even using, I would because I miss him so much.”

Many other families’ shared stories during the memorial tribute as they surrounded the Martinez family to show them they are not alone.

 “I want to make it known that other families are hurting just like we are and we have to stick together,” Wanda Martinez said.