Latest news with #NorthCantonMiddleSchool
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boy killed in parade accident remembered at 2 Friday vigils: ‘He was a light'
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Hundreds of grieving neighbors, family members and friends gathered to remember 13-year-old Matthew Schultz at two vigils Friday night. The first event was a private rosary service held at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Green because Matthew was an altar server and loved his faith. 'That's the one thing that keeps us smiling through our tears, that Matthew lives forever. When God gives a gift, he gives it forever,' said Fr. David Durkee, becoming choked up. The second memorial and night of remembrance started later around 8 p.m. at Witwer Park in North Canton next to North Canton Middle School. I-TEAM: New development in unsolved Cleveland Metroparks double murder Hundreds came out in force and in costume. Some wore blue clothing, which was his favorite color. Others dressed up like characters from Star Wars, but they all carried lights. 'Light because he was a light,' said organizer Rachel Hoffman Murray. 'We've got the glow sticks and light sabers, flashlights and a chance to kind of shine in that darkness.' Matthew's death on Memorial Day has devastated the area after the teen fell from a trailer during the parade. Also in attendance at the vigil were members of the Ohio Garrison 501st Legion Star Wars Cosplayers who were at the parade that day. They said he was always full of joy, curiosity and laughter. 'Matthew was a huge Star Wars fan. Some of our members even got a chance to speak with him before the incident and he was very excited to see us,' said David Hise, Ohio Garrison 501st Commander. Graduating East Cleveland students fulfill a special pact from middle school The vigil was designed to help everyone honor Matthew's life and cope with the tragic loss. 'To recognize Matthew, recognize his family and just, you know, honor the time that we had with him,' said Hoffman-Murray. The community is also allying behind the family in other ways too, from upcoming restaurant fundraisers to selling specially designed t-shirts. 'My daughter knew Matthew. We couldn't believe it and we just wanted to do something to help,' said Ashley Humphrey. They said they want to be a force of heartfelt solidarity and tangible support for Matthew's family during this difficult time. 'I think that's part of the healing process, everyone coming together supporting one another,' said Hise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Communities rally to support family of 13-year-old who died after falling from parade float
GREEN, Ohio (WJW) – The communities of Green and North Canton are doing all they can to support the family of 13-year-old Matthew Schultz, who died after an accident on Memorial Day. Schultz fell off a parade float and was struck by the wheels. He later died at the hospital. Now, a special prayer session and a vigil are both scheduled for Friday. Local man accused of brutally stabbing puppy pleads not guilty In Green, a rosary prayer service is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The pastor, Father David Durkee, told FOX 8 News that while Schultz was involved with his hometown church in North Canton, he'd been there before, and his grandparents often attend services there. Durkee also spent time with Schultz' family on Wednesday and was inspired by their faith. He said a prayer service to try and lift the family up is important at a time when everyone is doing what they can to support the family — but it will also make a difference down the line. 'It's going to get them through the dark times later down the road when the crowd is not around them, and to realize the memories, to know that people came out and showed their love and support,' Durkee said. Ohio hiking trail voted one of the country's best Additionally, a celebration of Schultz' life is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Witwer Park near North Canton Middle School. Attendees will be able to write a note for the family and are encouraged to wear blue, as it was Schultz' favorite color. A GoFundMe set up to support the family has surpassed $87,000 in donations. A local T-shirt company called Hawk Creations also created a memorial T-shirt that honors Schultz. In a Facebook post, they said 50% of each sale will be donated to the family, in addition to 15% of all sales through the end of June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreaking': Support floods in for family of teen killed in Green parade accident
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – The people of North Canton are mourning the loss of 13-year-old Matthew Schultz, who passed away on Monday after a tragic accident at the Memorial Day parade in Green. Investigators said Matthew fell off of a parade trailer that was being pulled by a pickup truck, and was then struck by the back wheels of the trailer as it slowly continued to roll along the parade route. Matthew was a seventh grader at North Canton Middle School and on Tuesday, his grieving classmates decorated his locker with notes showing their love and support for the 13-year-old. 'A bright light': Teen who died after fall from Memorial Day parade float in Green remembered as 'loyal and funny' Among those deeply touched by the story is 18-year-old Peyton Craig, a 2025 graduate of North Canton High School. 'Hearing that it happened to someone in our community was heartbreaking. Like, I just had to take a moment and pause and think about it because that could happen to anybody at any time,' she said. Craig was part of a junior achievement team that created what they call the 'Calm Canvas.' Each canvas is a paint by numbers image that enables those dealing with loss or trauma to express their emotion in colors that match their feelings. She is donating Calm Canvases to each of the schools in North Canton as healing tools for grief counselors, as they meet with students and staff struggling with Matthew's death. 'When they are coloring, they are learning and practicing coping mechanisms that they can take with them for the rest of their lives,' she said. During a press conference in Green on Tuesday morning, Danielle Paciorek, who is a spokesperson for the Schultz family, told reporters, 'I'm speaking on behalf of the family of Matthew Schultz, who are experiencing unimaginable heartbreak after the tragic loss of their beautiful beloved son Matthew.' Close friends have created a GoFundMe page to support Matthew's family and donations have been made by people across Northeast Ohio. 'The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with love and support and prayers, all the support over these few days,' said Paciorek. Cleveland non-profit recruiting Black families for dementia care program One of the most touching demonstrations of support for Matthew's family came from Green firefighters who rushed to his side at the parade on Monday. Their union is now donating money that was raised from their annual pancake breakfast on Memorial Day to Matthew's loved ones. The people of North Canton and the surrounding areas of Stark County and Summit County said they are letting the family know that they are being held in loving and healing arms. 'Matthew's absence leaves a hole that can't be filled, but his spirit will live on for everyone he touched,' Paciorek said. Learn more about the GoFundMe page right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
