Printer Friendly Version - OLM Alumni Go #NickStrong for East Haven’s Nick Vessicchio

Graduates from Our Lady Mercy in Madison participated in the school’s first Alumni Basketball Game, which raised more than $1,200 that will be donated toward the medical costs of 16 year-old East Haven resident Nick Vessicchio, who was severely injured when he was struck by a tree last year. Pictured are (front) Adam Denvir (Killingworth), Jack McKenna (Madison), Nick Erickson (Madison), Jackson Martin (Madison), Pamela Engelhart (Madison), Allison Tuttle (Killingworth), Delaney Kenney (Guilford), Amy Ziobron (Watertown), and Kate Hall (Clinton); (middle) Hogan Beatty (Guilford), Trey Adams (Madison), Finn Dowler (Madison), Meghan Tilton (Madison), Viviana Mazzarella (Madison), Emily Connelly (Madison), Summer Adams (Madison), Maddie Dobson (Madison), and Sophia Araneo (Branford); (back) Andrew Faggio (Madison), Bridget Phillips (Madison), Sofia Trotta (Guilford), Stephanie Sullivan (Branford), Dillon Selfors (Madison), Nick Faggio (Madison), Luke Curran (Madison), and Christian Amato (Madison). Missing from the photo are Joseph Mazzarlla (Madison), Michael Engelhart (Madison), Chris Engelhart (Madison), Colin Call (Guilford), Ben Scecina-White (Branford), and Andrew Connelly (Madison).Photo courtesy of Laurie Kenney

Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) alumni and their families came out #NickStrong in Madison on March 11 for the school’s first Alumni Basketball Game. The event raised more than $1,200 to help defray the ongoing medical costs of 16 year-old Nick Vessicchio of East Haven, who was critically injured when he was struck by and pinned under a falling tree while mowing the lawn at his home last summer. Vessicchio’s father, Ray Vessicchio, is a basketball referee for the Greater New Haven Parochial Athletic League and a beloved member of the OLM community.

“When we heard about the tragic accident this past summer, we wanted to do something to support Ray and his family,” said OLM parent Liz Connelly of Madison, one of the event’s organizers. “Being a part of this event was such a meaningful experience as it allowed us to come together again with so many great OLM families.”

Connelly noted the efforts of the entire OLM community in making the event a success, including Angela Mazzarella and her family, OLM Athletic Director Tim Geary, the many OLM families who provided food, raffle prizes, and monetary donations; and several former OLM sports coaches who took part in the charity game.

Although Vessicchio wasn’t able to officiate any games at OLM this past season, his presence was still felt.

“At every basketball game Ray officiated over the years, he taught all of us so much,” said former OLM girls’ basketball coach John Adams of Madison. “His gentle nature came across before, during, and after games. Whether he was teaching the rules and basketball strategy, managing the game and opposing coaches, or guiding the children through the game, he truly made each game much more fun. We all looked forward to seeing Ray at whatever gym we were playing in.”

On July 27 of last year, Nick Vessicchio was struck and pinned by a 30-foot tree that uprooted and fell on him while he was mowing the lawn. The accident left Vessicchio with severe bodily injuries and an injury to his brain, resulting in months spent in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities with his family constantly by his side. Thanks in large part to an outpouring of community assistance and fundraising events to help with the medical costs, home renovation, and ongoing care, Vessicchio returned home late last month.

The Vessicchio Family Special Trust has been established to provide support for the family. To donate, please make a check payable to:

‘The Vessicchio Family Special Trust’ at Citizen’s Bank and send your donation to the Law Offices of Zullo & Jacks LLC, 85 Main Street, East Haven, CT, 06512.