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And because they know the 16-year-old would want others to share that experience, especially those who couldn’t afford to attend Camp Shankitunk on their own, they have created a scholarship fund on the crowdsourcing site, gofundme.com.
More than $5,000 was raised for the scholarship fund in the first 15 hours after the post was created by James Kane, a testament, he says, to Kelly’s winning smile and sense of humor.
“Owen absolutely loved everything about Shankitunk, and even though it was only a few weeks each summer, Shankitunk was part of his life year round,” the gofundme scholarship creator said. “Owen made numerous 'forever friends' and lifelong memories at this magical place.”
Kelly was killed Monday, Jan. 18, when he was hit by a train at the Philipse Manor station.
According to media reports, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the conductor was unable to avoid hitting Kelly. There was no “criminality involved” involved in the tragic incident, an MTA spokeman said.
Kelly, a sophomore at Fordham Prep in the Bronx where he was an honor student, had attended schools in Tarrytown through middle school.
Born in Atlanta, Ga., he was raised there and in Sleepy Hollow.
He was a member of his school’s junior varsity hockey team.
Kelly was also a community volunteer and had worked at the Tarry Crest Swimming and Tennis Club and at the Philipse Manor Beach Club.
He was a counselor-in-training at 4H Camp Shankitunk in Delhi.
Kelly is survived by his parents, Jennifer and Jason Kelly, and brothers William and Henry.
A celebration of his life has been set for 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Pocantico Hills Firehouse (adjacent to the Church of the Magdalene), 531 Bedford Road, Sleepy Hollow.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the Church of the Transfiguration, 268 South Broadway, Tarrytown.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to: Fordham Prep: Owen Kelly Scholarship, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, N.Y., 10458.
Arrangements are being handled by the Coffey Funeral Home, 91 N. Broadway, Tarrytown.
To access the gofundme site, click here.
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