It has been my privilege to be a part of a dedicated committee that is planning the memorial service on May 17 to remember the spirit of Farrell High basketball great Julius McCoy.

The service will begin at 1 p.m. at Farrell’s E.J. McCluskey Gymnasium, but the doors will open at 11 a.m. For two hours before the beginning of the service, guests will be able to view photos and other displays of Julius.

In addition, a film of Farrell’s 1952 state championship game will be available for viewing as well. Julius, who was Farrell’s most revered athlete for more than half a century, died April 4 in Harrisburg.

Members of the McCoy family, including Julius’s brother Jim, who followed in his brother’s footsteps and helped the Steelers of Coach Ed McCluskey to their second state title in 1954, will attend the service, as will many former Farrell players.

Col. (Ret.) Donald Jones, Willie Somerset, Brian Generalovich, Dr. James Kollar, Frank Sincek, Bob Stewart, former Sharon High Coach Don Bennett, and several others will speak briefly at the progam.

The service, which is expected to last no longer than 90 minutes, represents a chance for residents to pay a last tribute to Julius, who still holds the school scoring record with 1,471 points, including 726 as a senior in leading Farrell to its first state title. In addition to his prowess on the courts, he ranks as one of the school’s most celebrated football players, and excelled at track.

If any residents have questions or other input, they are invited to contact any member of the committee, which is being chaired by Wilbert L. Shannon of Wheatland, who played with Julius and remained a close friend.

Others on the committee, in addition to Shannon and I, are Vince Cardamon, Ron Heiman, Lester Robinson, Bob Pegues, Roland Shannonhouse, Jarrett Samuels, Kollar and Generalovich. “We have what we think is a very nice tribute and service for Julius,” Shannon said.

Ex-players, friends, fans and members of the community at large are urged to participate in a final farewell to a man fondly called “The Legend,” who meant so much to many so people, and whose reputation transcended his accomplishments in sports.

Shimshock dinner is Saturday night

The second annual Lee Michael Shimshock Memorial Fund’s second annual dinner and drawing, aimed at raising awareness among parents and teens about depression suicide, is scheduled for Saturday night at The Corinthian Banquet Center in Sharon.

In its short history, the program has raised more than $18,000 to promote awareness and prevention of depression and suicide while keeping the memory of Lee Michael alive. Lee Michael, who was a junior at Kennedy Catholic High School, died in 2007.

Teen suicide and attempts at suicide spurred by depression are a problem throughout the country, and programs dedicated to creating a dialogue about it in any community are worthy of support.

Three scholarships, based on essays titled “Why Suicide is Never an Answer to Your Problems,” will be awarded. Last year’s recipients were Sharon High’s Katie Kelly, Kennedy’s Heather Brooks, and Farrell High’s Jackson Long.

Tickets, which are $30 for dinner and drawing and $15 for dinner only, can be bought by contacting any member of the fund. They are Devin O’Brien, Tyler Hudson, Taylor Shimshock, Mack O’Brien, Anna Bianco Chaser, Chris O’Brien and Nadine Vellente, Lee Michael’s mom.