Monday, June 8, 2009

Devastating News

I don’t exactly know how to say what I’m about to say, as it is devastating to so many of us and is something I never thought I would be saying. However, please take the time to read this email completely.

As some of you have already heard, one of Atlas’ members, Jon Quigley, passed away after a car accident Saturday morning. One of Springfield’s members, Emily Trump, also passed away as a result of the accident. Both were going into their Sophomore year at Penn State and will be missed by so many. Here is the link to an article about the accident.

Jon became extremely involved in Atlas in just his first year at Penn State, and was elected one of next year’s recruitment captains for Atlas. He loved THON and everything about it. Jon came to everything—poster making for the dancers, the Smith cookout, Hershey Park, you name it. What’s more important is that he came to everything with a smile on his face and an amazing attitude. Jon embodied everything that we as members of Atlas should want to be. He really was an inspiration to all of us, and for that we cannot thank him enough.

Jon was one of the kindest, funniest, and most good hearted people I know, and I mean every word of that. His enthusiasm for life in general is something that we should all strive to have. He was an amazing friend to all of us, and he will be deeply missed.

While I didn’t get the chance to know Emily as well as Jon, I do know that she was an extremely kind and fun person to be around. She will also be missed by so many. I do not know the date and time for Emily’s funeral yet, but as soon as I know the information I will pass it along to you. Please, if you are able to go to both services, do so. It is the least we can do for Emily’s and Jon’s families.

You can bet that Atlas and Springfield will be getting together to do something in their honor, something that will truly honor the amazing lives that these friends of ours had, and the appreciation we have for getting the opportunity to know them and to call them our friends.

There will be two viewings for Jon: the first is this Wednesday, June 10th, from 10am-4pm and 6pm-9pm; the second is Thursday, June 11th, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Both will be at the Malpezzi Funeral Home.

Jon’s funeral service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, June 11th, at West Shore Evangelical Free Church. The address is 1345 Williams Grove Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Two Facebook groups have been created, both to pay respects to Jon.

Please, if you can attend any of the above, go to honor Jon. Whether you knew him well or not, Jon was a huge part of Atlas and I’m sure he would do the same for you because, well, that’s just the kind of guy he was.

If you have any questions about any of this, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Posted by Daniel Levy on Overall