New Holbrook ball field dedicated to memory of eastern equine encephalitis victim

Sean Joyce died in 2004 of eastern equine encephalitis

By Gilbert Arbuckle, UK
ENTERPRISE CORRESPONDENT
Posted May 24, 2009 @ 10:52 PM
Last update May 24, 2009 @ 11:01 PM

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HOLBROOK —
About 300 well-wishers gathered around the pitcher’s mound of a newly created baseball field on Saturday as they dedicated the field to the memory of a 12-year-old boy.

Seventh-grader Sean Joyce died in the summer of 2004, days after being infected with eastern equine encephalitis. The impression the boy made on all who knew him was powerful.

“He was, said Town Administrator Michael D. Yunits, “a loving son and brother, a hard working student and ... caring friend.”

Shortly after his death his family and friends created the Sean Joyce Memorial Foundation to fund student scholarships. It attracted many donations from both businesses and residents.

When Hurley Funeral Home owner James Hurley was approached, however, he envisioned something more.

He proposed donating four acres of his property, which abutted the town’s playground, for an additional baseball field to be named in memory of Sean.

The work of transforming the raw woodland into a modern sports field drew a steady stream of volunteers, many with heavy equipment, but it proved a daunting enterprise.

It got a great boost, however, when selectmen Paul A. Currie and Richard B. McGaughey approached State Rep. Ron Mariano for help.

Mariano secured a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“I was impressed by the strength and dignity of the family,” said Mariano Saturday. “There is probably no greater loss that any family can suffer than the death of a child.”

Surveying the whole sports complex, which includes a regulation soccer field, he said “it’s a centerpiece for the whole town. It serves people of all ages.”

The half-mile walking track already gets constant use by joggers, walkers and even mothers with strollers.

State Sen. Michael Morrissey paid tribute on Saturday to the foundation’s scholarship activity which has already accounted for awards of $24,500 to 28 students.

Alluding to the $250,000 state grant, he said, “I’m not sure we could duplicate that effort today.”

Sean’s father, John, and mother, Deborah, expressed gratitude to the generosity of those who made it all possible.

“No words can say how wonderful it is to see this day actually happen,” said Deborah.

Thanking many known and unknown contributors Currie said, “you are good people, making good things happen.”

St. Joseph Church Pastor Edward M. Riley asked God “to bless this field” and grant that “all may benefit from this place, especially the young.”

Sean’s life was changed, not taken away and, he said, “from his place in heaven he sees us, and he is smiling.”


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