HAMBURG, N.Y. -- A memorial stands outside Hamburg High School in memory of Conor Long. The 20-year-old fell to his death while trying to snap a photo at Zoar Valley last weekend.
"He was bright, kind, considerate, and always looking for some way to help somebody out," says Hamburg Central Schools Superintendent Michael Cornell on Monday.
More than a thousand people honored Long Wednesday night at Howe Field in Hamburg. His loved ones requested that we shoot video from afar to allow his friends and family to grieve and share memories.
2 On Your Side’s Dave McKinley spoke with the Superintendent of Hamburg Central Schools Monday about the loss.
"Somebody who was always putting himself out there as a lifeline for others, when you lose that, it's tough," said Cornell.
Long graduated from Hamburg High School in 2017, volunteered as a cross country coach, was a camp counselor in Boston, and was planning on going to St. Bonaventure in the fall. In high school, he served as a student rep on the school board.
"He just had this great love for all things Hamburg in all that he did on behalf of the students of Hamburg, and that's what he brought to us at the board table every month," said Cornell.
Cornell says Long is being remembered as someone everyone loved and respected.
"He was a great, just a great kid. And we'll all miss him. He's exactly the kind of kid, my son's 13 years old, and that's the kind of kid that you want your child to grow up and be like," he said.
Calling hours for Conor Long are Thursday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Donald M. Demmerley Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial is this Friday at 10 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Church.
There will be a shuttle bus service provided from 5:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m. this evening. You can park your vehicle at the Town Hall Plaza, 6000 South Park Avenue (the old K-Mart) and the bus will take you to the funeral home and back.