Some of you may have noticed that I sort of went off the air the last few days. That’s because I had to go up to Pennsylvania for a funeral — and that doesn’t begin to describe it. I’ve never experienced, or been affected by, one like this.
David Michael Doody, 19, who befriended my youngest daughter as soon as she arrived up there to spend her last year of high school while studying ballet, died last week from injuries received in a car crash. He was a passenger in a vehicle with three other boys, heading down a serene residential street in broad daylight, when another car came out of a side street and broadsided them. David was thrown from the car, and hit his head on the pavement. One other boy suffered a concussion, and his arm is in a sling. The other two seemed OK. But David died two days later.
David was my daughter’s one, closest friend up there. That’s them above at their high school graduation in June. My wife spent the year with her, just coming
home last month, and David was always there for both of them. He shoveled their car out of its parking space when they were immobilized. He brought them leftover bread and pastries from Panera, where he worked (left). He essentially became a member of the family, a fixture in the tiny apartment they were living in, filling some of the void left by the rest of us who were still down here in S.C.
The first thing I heard about David was at the beginning of the 06-07 school year, when my wife told me how great it was that my daughter had a friend who was friends with EVERYBODY. This was reinforced these past few days. I learned that David transcended the cliques of high school; he was a member of all of them. As he walked the halls of
the school, everybody wanted to talk to him, and he’d stop and speak to them all, without favoritism. He liked everybody. Eulogists spoke of something I had noticed, and which my wife had reinforced — David
was utterly unaffected. He was himself with everyone. My wife mentioned going into a restaurant with him and my daughter, and a kid from special ed at the high school was there and got excited, shouting, "It’s David Doody! DavidDoody! DavidDoody!" David just said "Hey, man," and paused to chat, acting like that was the most natural greeting in the world.
The funeral home the night I got up there was crammed and overflowing with his friends. Weeping girls AND boys spilled out into the parking lot, and collapsed on the curbs. The next day, the funeral procession was the longest I ever drove in.
On my several visits up there during the year, David was always around, and he was always an uplifting presence. I can’t picture him not smiling.
The world suffered a terrible loss last week, and you may not have known it. But there’s a small town in Pennsylvania that is acutely aware of its loss.
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Brad, my heartfelt condolences for the loss to you and your daughter of someone who was obviously a fine young man. I’ve worked in the highway safety arena for the past 20 years and tragically these incidents are far, far too common.
Brad, I’m so sorry that your daughter and you have lost such a person in you lives.
Brad: Your daughter was fortunate to have a friend like David. But he was fortunate to have a friend like your daughter. Don’t know her, but I know you. So therefore I know she’s top notch. Sorry for the loss.
The kid you described sounds like a fine young man. Thanks for the note…it is worthy of the space you gave it, and even more.
I wish we could read more about kids like him, and less of these punks involved in sports and music, etc.
I can not imagine how his parents can deal with this…my prayers for his faimily and friends.
I lost a good friend in high school the same way. Our prayers go out to your daughter, your family, and the entire community whose lives were effected by such an infectious personality.
Just from reading these seven paragraphs, I can tell David was that rare kind of person who brings good to the World and leaves far more than they take. I’m sorry for your loss.
– A.F.
…But I could have told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you…
(“Starry Starry Night” by Don McClean)
The nightmare that every parent dreads sometimes hits with full force. And it sounds like David was practically part of the family. May God comfort all of you.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. David sounds like one of my former students: a friend to all and a stranger to none. It is especially hard to hear about the young dying, but to hear about someone so special is especially hurtful.
I hope your daughter can get past this…but not too far past it. We are what who we know and have known after all.
Prayers (if you don’t mind) for the healing of all who knew David.
Oh, your prayers are more than welcome, I assure you. We need all of those we can get. We always do; it’s just that at times such as this we are fully aware of the fact.
Brad,
Thanks so much for your comments about David. A friend somehow found your comments on the Web and forwarded them to me here in Carlisle. You are exactly right in everything you said. He was a sweetie from the day we brought him home and throughout every day of his life. I’m glad he found Rebecca. He was really crazy about her.
Best,
Angela Doody
Thank you, Angie, and God Bless You and your family.
Folks, Angela is David’s mom. So as you can imagine, it means a lot to know she approves of what I had to say.
It’s just so hard to know what to say or what to do at a time like this.
Dear Angie, Tom, and the Warthen’s;
First I want to thank you, Brad, for writing about David and how he spread his charm to all that he came in contact with and especially how he helped Rebecca to integrate into a new school.
These are the first pics of David that I have seen sense he was born in MSP (where I live). I am so glad to read about David M Doody and the things that made him so special to your daughter and so many others. Knowing the entire Doody family over the past 42 years as I have makes this incredibly hard to know what my dear friends are going through.
One of my best friends is David’s uncle and name sake. I know how this has hit him and all that are parents of wonderful kids like David. My heart goes out to everyone that is missing David’s presents in their lives.
Take comfort in knowing that David is with God now and sending strength from above for us all to go on.
Sincerely yours,
Adrian Kearney
Thank you for taking the time to make such a kind post about David. It has been a few weeks but I still think about David every day. He was is my nephew, and I still read about his life on the internet when I start to miss him. It’s nice to know so many other people miss him too. I Love You David!
Hi Angie,
I have been reading so many special stories about David. He touched the life of so many people. So many friends and family care. We are all thinking and praying for you. I am so sorry for your loss. Big Hug.
Love Always,
your cousin
Patsy
hi. i dont know if you still remember me but we used to be neighbors back when you lived in jersey and i was good friends with erin. my whole family and haddon township have been praying for your family and we are sorry for your loss. david will always be remembered. <3
I gave a speech yesterday in my English class. My teacher, Mrs. Doody, talked to me after class about David. I never knew him, but after reading this article, I wish I would have had the chance to meet him.
At the moment, I am at a loss of words; however, I feel the need to state that a person, such as David, will always have a profound impact on people unbeknownst to them.
Also, thank you Mrs. Doody.
Your student,
David McCollum
This is long over due but i graduated high school with Rebecca and David. i went all four years with David. I was away at Basic Military Training when David pasted away. My stepmother told me about his death minutes after i graduated. so i sat in a Burger King on Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and cried my eyes out. i didn’t know David as some people did but i knew his face and now i know that i will never see that humorous smile or hear his witty jokes at our high school reunions. But there will always be a place for him in our class and in our hearts. Carlisle High School’s class of 2007 will always remember David Doody…how could we forget.