Community pays respects at calling hours for teen killed in lacrosse accident
BAY VILLAGE, Ohio (WJW) – A grieving community came together to pay their respects and remember Dylan Veselic who passed away after a tragic lacrosse accident.
Thousands of mourners began arriving early at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Bay Village on Friday night ahead of calling hours which started at 4:30 p.m.
'It's a sign of how much Dylan's life impacted so many people, not only throughout Greater Cleveland, but we've gotten messages from all around the country about this,' said Fr. Dan Schlegel, the pastor at St. Raphael's.
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Dylan was just 16, a straight 'A' sophomore with a big smile and a bright future when he was fatally injured playing lacrosse for Bay Village High School and passed away on May 8.
Many of his friends, teammates and classmates wore Bay blue to the church and have been struggling to make sense of the tragic accident.
'They ask a lot of questions as to why would God allow something like this to happen?' said Schlegel. 'We don't know those answers. The only thing that we can say is how will they honor Dylan in their own lives and how will they remember the legacy of the kid who was so filled with life and love for other people?'
His family said that much of the focus has been on Dylan's athletic ability, but he was much more than that. He was a beacon of 'joy, laughter and determination.'
Following his tragic death, the Bay Village School District decided to cancel the games for the remainder of the lacrosse season, and the community has rallied around those affected by the incident, especially Dylan's family.
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There was the 'Sticks Out for Dylan' campaign and the Meal Train fundraiser for the Veselics, which quickly surpassed $123,000.
The family is extremely grateful with cards and flowers continuing to pour in from across the country.
'I can say that the family has been so overwhelmed by the love that is shown to them. It's hard for them even to fathom the immensity of peoples love for them,' said Schlegel.
Not only is the family comforted by the support, but Schlegel said they are also leaning on their faith.
'I've grieved with this family before,' he said. 'I know faith got them through and I know that faith will help them to get through this as well.'
A funeral mass will take place on May 24 at 10:30 a.m., also at St. Raphael's.
Dylan's burial will follow the funeral at Sunset Memorial Park.
The annual Bay Village Memorial Day 5K Run & Walk planned for Saturday has also been switched to a virtual event because of the traffic expected for the funeral.
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