Between 2001 and 2007, five former Somerville High hockey players died young. Brian Liberatore, Nicky Peters, Dave Martini, Ryan Sullivan and Matthew O'Brien were all “good kids from Somerville” who died too soon, said Jonathon Mahoney, 21, a 2004 graduate of SHS.
On Saturday, Mahoney brought more than 200 people together to honor the memories of his fallen friends and raise money for the Somerville High athletes of tomorrow. A street hockey tournament at Conway Park raised $1,200 for a scholarship fund dedicated to the memory of Liberatore, Peters, Martini, Sullivan and O'Brien.
Mahoney said the scholarship is open to a Somerville High senior who participated in any sport during his or her high school years. Applicants will write an essay and the families of the five hockey players will have a role in choosing the winner, he said.
Mahoney said he will hold the event each year and expects it to grow over time. “We've had too many athletes pass away. I wanted to do something to remember them.”
Photos by Scott Liberatore
Great story about a great group of young people who are remembering their friends in such a positive way.
Posted by: cczcollins | June 20, 2008 at 01:37 PM
RIP Somerville's Lost Boys...you will never be forgotten!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 21, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I've only lived here a few years. What happened to these kids?
Posted by: AJ | June 21, 2008 at 02:00 PM
AJ,
Libby died in a car accident, Nicky Peters was killed in Texas in a fight while leaving a bar, Dave Martini accidentally shot himself, Ryan Sullivan was stabbed and killed trying to protect his friend at the Somerville fireworks a few years ago, Matty O'Brien overdosed.
RIP our fallen angels. Always in our hearts and prayers.
Posted by: Resident | June 29, 2008 at 11:07 PM
This tournament was wonderful, and the kids involved really stepped up to the plate and are turning tragedy into something positive. Kudos to all of them. But please remember that the 5 tragc deaths mentioned are the hockey players who died. Somerville will also never forget Chris Ormond, Danny Nunes, Jim Slattery, and Victor Ferreira. Please correct me if I've forgotten anyone.
Posted by: All of Somerville's Angels | June 30, 2008 at 10:02 AM
You forgot Eddie Martin, class of '98.
Posted by: AMM | April 27, 2009 at 06:34 PM
RIP LIBBY NICKY RYAN and every other villen
Posted by: deevee-es | April 29, 2009 at 11:57 AM