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Harry's DC Half Marathon Page


I will be running the Washington DC Half Marathon on May 6th to raise money and awareness for The Michael T. Ellsessar Memorial Fund in memory of my two friends in Heaven, Mike and Tim Ellsessar.  Mike tragically passed away my freshman year of highschool and his younger brother, Tim,  one of my best friends, passed in 2015 shortley after graduating from high school.  I shared many great memories with Tim and count on him to encourage me every step along the way.  

The picture above (Me on the left, Tim Ellsessar in the middle, and Connor Garvey on the right), was taken right after the three of us won the gold medal for the Central MA Discus Relay. It is the last picture taken of Tim and I, as well as one of my favorites.

Below is some information on the foundation his tremendous family and friends set up in both their honor.


THE MICHAEL T. ELLSESSAR MEMORIAL FUND:

The Ellsessar Family & Friends have been raising money and purchasing AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator’s) since the tragic passing of their middle son Michael in November of 2010. & their youngest son Timothy in July of 2015

Their stories,

On Monday November 15, 2010, Mike, a 16yr old high school sophomore, was playing in his final JV football game for the Oxford High School Pirates (Co-op at the time with Sutton High where Mike went to school and lived)! The game was at Quaboag High in Warren, MA , on the second play of the game Mike #99 caught a pass, picked up the first down and while being tackled took a blow / hit to the chest “Commotio Cordis” that triggered Sudden Cardiac Arrest! Mike collapsed on the field and 911 was called and CPR was started immediately by Referee & State Trooper Joe Hilton, but sadly with no Ambulance or AED at the field Mike (#99) didn’t stand a chance! The ambulance arrived 15 minutes later and he was rushed to Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, MA and worked on for 45 min. but sadly he was called home to Heaven on the field that day!

Since then the Ellsessar Family and friends have been raising money to turn their tragedy into a triumph! They have donated over 35 portable AED’s to area High Schools and youth sports organizations as well as given over $12,000.00 in College Scholarships and started a gently used Sporting Goods store called “Mike’s Sporting Spirit” Mission Store in The First Congregational Church of Sutton, MA (307 Boston Road, Sutton, MA 01590 open every Sunday after service – around 11:15 AM

Sadly, the Ellsessar family has faced tragedy again, on July 29th 2015 their youngest son Timothy (Then 18yrs old and just graduated from Sutton High School) joined his brother Mike in Heaven in time for Mike’s 21st Birthday on July 30th! Tim was swimming / boating with his older brother Patrick and friends when he felt dizzy and sank to the bottom. Pat and friends dove in and pulled Tim into the boat and started CPR while 911 was called!  The young men did all they could to save him but God had different plans… Tim was rushed to Harrington Hospital in Webster, MA where sadly he was pronounced dead.

Mike played Track & Field for Sutton High, Football #99 for Oxford High, Ice Hockey #20 for Northbridge High & played Percussion in the Sutton High School Band. He was involved in his Church (The First Congregational Church of Sutton) – he loved the “City Reach” Program.  He had his learners permit, a girlfriend, lots of friends & teammates and was excited to start his first real job working at Sleigh Bell Farms in Sutton for the upcoming Christmas & Holiday Season.

Tim was also a tremendous athlete and his senoir year (2014/15) honored his brother Mike by wearing #99 for the Northbridge High Rams Ice Hockey Team! Tim was also into Track and Field and was named the Dual Valley Conference Field Athlete of the Year 2015 for Discus & Javelin (Sutton High). He was working on the trucks at Atlas Distributing in Auburn MA and was planning on attending Quinsigamond Community College in the fall. Tim was also well liked by his friends, classmates and teammates.

The tragic passing of both these boys has left a hole in the Heart of Sutton & That of the Blackstone Valley!


The Ellsessar Family are American Heart Assoc. Advocates and have worked to pass a few Heart Health Law’s in MA – In April 2012 ‘Michael’s Law” was signed by then Gov. Patrick (Medical Emergency Response Plans for Schools) Putting plans in place on each school campus in case of emergency. In 2014 The Coach’s Law was passed ensuring by September 2014 all High School Coaches are CPR & AED Trained. Lastly they helped get the AED bill signed by Gov. Baker in Jan. 2017 so that every school in MA will have at least 1 AED by July of 2018.

We appreciate all the love, support, kindness, generosity, friendship and help that we have & continue to receive in support of our mission

Thank you & God be with you!

Love & Peace, The Ellsessar Family – John, Luann, Patrick with Mike & Tim in Heaven
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Donations 

  • Susan Messier
    • $99 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer

Harry Valentgas
Organizer
Sutton, MA

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