There were tears of sadness and remembrances among the eighth-grade classmates of Sal Polizzi as they hung ribbons with personal messages to their friend who was killed in an accident over the weekend. Forum Newsgroup Photo by Patricia Adams.
Howard Beach was rocked by tragedy over the weekend after news of the accidental death of a popular teen reached the close-knit community.
Salvatore Polizzi, an eighth grade student at M.S 207 was killed on Saturday night while on a holiday getaway with his dad for the Memorial Day weekend in Pennsylvania. The fatal accident involved a dirt bike.
The 13-year-old is the son of Lysa King, former manager at Carosello Restaurant, now managing Bruno’s Ristorante, and Sal Polizzi, the owner of Trackside Auto Repair and Collision.
The accident occurred near the family’s vacation home where the popular teen would ride his quad and dirt bikes on trails for sport. According to his friends, it was on those bikes that he was the happiest. One student said the only thing that helped when thinking about losing his friend is that “he died doing what he loved.”
Other friends at the school said Sal was the kind of kid who put his hands up and walked away from trouble. Nina DeBlasio, parent teacher coordinator at the school and personal friend of the family, described Sal as a “beautiful and energetic young man…who helped his classmates every chance he could.”
DeBlasio and Principal Linda Spadaro had the unfortunate task of getting the word
Forum Newsgroup photo by Patricia Adams
out to the school community. “We used an automated message system to let parents know there had been a tragic accident involving one of the eighth grade students on Saturday night,” said DeBlasio, “and that grief counselors would be available to talk before the scheduled wake on Thursday.”
“To have these kids come in here and ask why this happens is one of the most difficult things for us,” DeBlasio told The Forum. “We are trying to have them take something positive out of this; we are trying to show these kids there is no blueprint, no guarantee in life. So they should take the opportunity to say something nice to someone–the way Sal did. That’s a way to keep his memory alive.”
Principal Spadaro echoed the sentiment. “Sal was a nice, sweet, compassionate young man who will be missed by all, especially his eighth grade peers. The death of a child is a tragedy at any age. My heart goes out to the Polizzi family,” Spadaro said. “In the coming weeks the school community will be discussing ways to remember Sal.” The principal also said she is confident that the community will keep Sal and his family in their prayers.
School administrators said they are working with students to create a fitting memorial for Sal at the upcoming eighth grade festivities during June. Fellow students will attend their prom, award ceremony and graduation exercise over the next three weeks and according to DeBlasio will “carry on Sal’s memory throughout every part of the festivities he was to be a part of.”
On Wednesday morning before noon, fellow eighth graders hung a ribbon tribute to their friend, handwritten messages penned by classmates and friends. For the students it was their way to show the bond they had with a friend taken away at such a special time for all of them.
A wake will be held on Thursday, May 31 at Romanelli’s on 101st Avenue in Ozone Park from 1 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Our Lady of Grace Church.
By Patricia Adams
