Trinity Remembers

Andrew Cruz

To the Editor:

On April 20 a wonderful young man named Andrew Cruz gave up his courageous battle with cancer and left behind his loving family and parish family here at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown. Andrew was a remarkable 23-year-old who had survived leukemia at an early age through the heroic efforts of his sister with a bone marrow transplant, his parents and his extended family and friends throughout Newtown and Danbury.

Having survived cancer at such an early time in his life, Andrew rebounded at Hawley School and went on to graduate from Newtown High School and attend Western Connecticut State University.  In a time when today’s youth focus inward and on materialistic values, Andrew was a polite, caring, sensitive individual who went on to become an acolyte, confirmand, Eagle Scout, handyman advisor at Bethel Hardware, and recognized leader by his fraternity at WCSU.  His desire to always reach out and help others, as he did at Trinity Youth Summer Work Camps, did not go unnoticed when hundreds of both young and graying friends turned out at Trinity Church for his wake and funeral service over the past week. They were a tribute to the spirit of this fine young man and a celebration of his life and accomplishments in the face of adversity.

On Sunday the Reverend Kathleen Adams-Shepherd, rector at Trinity, deeply thanked the parish family for its support of Andrew and his family throughout this past week and his weeks of hospitalization and illness. However, it is us, the parish family at Trinity, who need to thank Pastor Kathy and her associate, Carol Westpfahl, for their tireless efforts, remarkable religious services, and eulogy in recognition of this wonderful young man whose memory will live on with us all.  Andrew and his warm, friendly spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who encountered him and we are all better people for having known him.

Sincerely,

Curt Symes

A Trinity Parishioner

36 Lake Road, Newtown                                                  April 28, 2008