Obituary of Justin Andrew Rasp
It is with broken hearts and unimaginable sorrow that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Justin Andrew Rasp, who left this world far too soon on July 19, 2025, in North Carolina. He was just 23 years old.
Justin was born in Livingston, New Jersey, and raised in Rockaway Township, where he grew up surrounded by a loving family and close-knit community. From a young age, Justin showed an energy and curiosity about the world that was uniquely his own. He had a huge, kind compassionate heart, a bright mind, and always strived to connect with others.
Justin discovered a passion for sports early in life. Though he spent many years playing in school leagues and on teams, he eventually realized that playing wasn’t where his heart truly belonged. Instead, he found his calling on the sidelines watching, studying, and analyzing the games he loved. He could break down plays like a pro, discuss strategies in-depth, and recite statistics with uncanny precision. He was a devoted and loyal fan of the New York Jets, riding the emotional rollercoaster of each season with the same intensity and optimism that he brought into every part of his life.
He graduated from Morris Knolls High School in 2020 and soon after left New Jersey to start a new chapter. Justin was brave in pursuing his independence and forging his own path. He enrolled at East Carolina University, majoring in psychology and minoring in sports management, a perfect combination of his passion for understanding people and his love for sports. He was just five months away from graduating this December, and he was so close to seeing years of hard work and dedication come full circle.
Justin’s heart was one of the most generous you could ever encounter. He longed for connection, love, and understanding, and worked to give all those things in return. Whether it was listening to a friend, offering advice to his brother, helping someone through a hard time, or simply being present, Justin always showed up with kindness and empathy.
He had a wit that was quick and sharp, always ready to make someone laugh, ease a tense moment, or light up a room. His humor was infectious. He had a way of making people feel seen, appreciated, and understood. His friendships, especially those he formed during his time in college, were deeply meaningful to him. He held those bonds close and always worked to make those around him feel like family.
Justin also had a profound connection with animals. There was something about his gentle spirit that animals responded to immediately. In 2020, during the heart of the pandemic, Justin took a spontaneous trip to Tractor Supply and came home with baby chicks, much to the surprise of his family. He raised them with love and care, building them a little home (in his bedroom) and made sure they had everything they needed.
Then came Grape. One day, while walking with a friend, he came across a stray kitten and, without hesitation, decided to bring her home. He named her Grape and cared for her with every ounce of tenderness he had. Grape later got out and returned home pregnant. Despite having no experience with something like that, Justin rose to the challenge. He cared for Grape through her pregnancy and lovingly helped raise her kittens. He made sure every single one went to a good home except one. He kept a second cat, whom he named Grape 2, also known as Grape Jr. This story, like so many others from Justin’s life, speaks to the depth of his heart, his instinct to protect and nurture, and his lifelong devotion to the things and people he loved.
Justin is survived by his devoted mother Doreen Brooks Thomson, her husband, John Thomson,his step father, his father Jeffrey Rasp, and his wife, Dana Rasp, his stepmother and his beloved younger brother Braden Rasp. He also leaves behind his loving aunts and uncles: Carolyn and Mike Russo, Meghann and Joe Mautone, Jeff and Stephanie Brooks, and Lisa Rasp. His grandparents, Arnold Brooks, Cindy Kilgo Brooks, Rita Rasp and Betty Schlatter mourn his loss deeply, as do his cousins: Alyssa and Joey Russo, Molly and Sophie Mautone, Carter Brooks, and Gisella, Ingrid, Adrianna, and Gianna Rasp. And of course, he is survived by his two cherished cats, Grape and Grape 2, who were never just pets, but a real part of his family.
Justin’s time on earth was far too short, but the love he gave, the lives he touched, and the laughter he brought will never be forgotten. He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a cousin, a friend, and so much more. He was the kind of person who left places better than he found them, and people happier than they were before he arrived.
We are devastated by his absence, but we are endlessly grateful for the time we had with him. His spirit will continue to live on in every person who carries a little more compassion because of him, in every friend who learned what true loyalty means, and in every act of quiet kindness performed in his memory. The world is better because he was in it.
Friends and family are welcome to gather for a public visitation on Tuesday, July 29th, from 3:00PM-7:00PM with a service at 6:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc., 16 Righter Ave, Denville, NJ 07834. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are being accepted to Eleventh Hour Rescue and the Rockaway Rockets by way of inmemof.org. Please join us to celebrate his life, and leave a condolence, share a memory, or light a candle to continue to let Justin`s light shine!
Rest peacefully, Justin. You are so loved. You always will be. And your light will never dim in our hearts.
