STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Family and friends are gathering on Monday to mourn the loss of a 16-year-old former Staten Islander who died in a fiery crash last week in Jackson Township, N.J., according to media reports.
Michael Gioia, affectionately called Mikey by his friends and family, was a student at Jackson Liberty High School. Born and raised on Staten Island, the teen moved to Jackson Township about seven years ago, according to his obituary.
“He was a leader and a great friend who lit up every room he entered with aspirations of helping people as a counselor and therapist,” according to his obituary.
Gioia was a member of an American Youth Football team and a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. For entertainment, he listened to the music of Drake, Bruno Mars and Travis Scott and played