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General News: Tragedy Spurs Community Response
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| David Jessup |
March 03, 2008
You can’t say that everyone in Cornwall was touched by the sudden death of a man in a house fire last Wednesday, but the loss struck a raw nerve among many and brought home the random nature of fate.
There are those who knew David Jessup only by his smiling face that appeared in obituaries after his passing. A few words about the man – an archeologist who ran a home contracting business and was the father of two boys -- were enough for strangers to feel the sadness of his loss.
At Lee Road school, where the youngest Jessup boy attends second grade, plans were put on hold immediately for the weekend drama production. A new schedule emerged days later, with benefits going to the family who lost everything in the fire.
The drama club producers explained that the show’s theme is “everyone, no matter how small, can make the world a better place,” and that by postponing the show and collecting donations, the PTO Drama Club can help one of its own. They also noted a huge outpouring for the children and their mother from the show’s cast and crew.
Neighbors and friends opened their homes and hearts to the Jessups. At St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, where a funeral mass was observed on Saturday before a large crowd, and at the Boy Scout’s pancake breakfast on Sunday, donations were accepted.
At Cornwall high school, where the older son is a freshman, there was a huge outpouring of baked goods for a sale on Monday morning to raise funds for the family. Teachers also dug into their pockets to make contributions, including paying $75 for a cheesecake at auction. The Key Club donated the proceeds of their Valentine "val-o-grams' to the cause. At least $4,300 was raised in the combined high school effort.
Friends of David Jessup shared the grief of loss with his widow, Eloisa, and tried to bring her comfort. Three friends spent hours pouring through the ashes of their home looking for any mementos to keep. One of the searchers found the wedding band that David routinely left in a bowl at the bathroom sink and gave it to his widow.
It is too soon for those closest to David Jessup to forget the pain of his loss. But family and friends may find some small solace in the community that came forward in the aftermath.
“He was a good guy and his spirit really went through other people,” said one friend. “They came forward in his spirit to take care of Eloisa and the boys.”
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Donations to the family may be made to the Eloisa Jessup Family Assistance Account by mail to PO Box 232, Cornwall, NY, 12518 or by dropping the check off at any Bank of America branch.
Clothing donations are not needed at the present time.
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