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Funeral services begin Tuesday in Bohemia for the Salve Regina University football player whose sudden death last week stunned his Long Island community.
Joseph Anthony “Joe” Boutros, 21, a former Connetquot High School standout and criminal justice major at Salve Regina University, died Feb. 23 from carbon monoxide poisoning while away at school in Rhode Island during during the blizzard that swept through the northeast. He was found unconscious in his car while charging his phone.
An outpouring of support from friends, teammates and neighbors has pushed a GoFundMe for the young Bohemia man’s family to nearly $50,000 to help cover funeral expenses.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and again on Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at Moloney’s Bohemia Funeral Home, located at 1320 Lakeland Ave. in Bohemia.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 11:15 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene, located at 1140 Locust Ave. in Bohemia. Later on Thursday, Boutros will be laid to rest at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemetery in Farmingdale.
Heartfelt messages have poured in on Boutros’s obituary page, where friends, professors and loved ones shared memories of a young man remembered for his warmth, loyalty and steady presence.
“Joe was an incredible person — a kind person who loved his teammates, was there for his teammates, was there for anyone who needed him; and he did it all with a smile,” Salve Regina head football coach Kevin Gilmartin wrote. “The Salve football team got together and people stood up and told stories about him.
“We laughed, we cried, we remembered his shiny, puffy jacket, his numerous nicknames, him getting caught in the fence, his love and trash talking of the NY Giants, him going to sit with someone who was alone, being the ultimate glue guy,” the coach continued. “We remembered the beauty of Joe.”
Marion McGair, a Salve Regina University professor, who taught Boutros in Business Law this semester, expressed being “deeply saddened” by his passing and consistently impressed by his “insightful contributions and unique perspectives” during class discussions.
“Joseph’s light will continue to shine through his loving family, friends and all of those who had the privilege and honor of knowing him,” McGair wrote.
Laurie Regan remembered Boutros’ “sweet smile and gentle spirit.”
“Joseph brought so much light into this world,” she said. “The light will continue to shine in all who loved him.”
Childhood friend Michael Dempsey recalled meeting Boutros when they were young and bonding over Mets baseball, sharing the same birthday and favorite foods.
“He was a good friend and I also considered him a brother to me,” Dempsey wrote.
Top: Joseph Boutros (inset photo from Moloney’s Bohemia funeral Home) and Salve Regina University football players gather to remember their teammate (Instagram, main photo).
