WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — Work to improve conditions and beauty at a park created in honor of a Saint Bonaventure University student continues to take place.
Shane Colligan passed away in 2003 at age 23. He was born with a three-chamber heart and underwent two heart transplants in his short life. He was found passed away in his room at Saint Bonaventure University, just days before his scheduled graduation. The school honored his family with a posthumous degree and named him the Ideal Bonaventure Man at graduation ceremonies.
Colligan was known for his generous spirit including volunteer work for Buffalo's Variety Kids Telethon, which is now sponsored by 2 On Your Side.
Following his death, the Wellsville Village Board voted to name a new park in his honor. Shane T. Colligan Memorial Park is at 156 North Main Street in Wellsville.
Trees had been obstructing the view of the gazebo at the park. Work was done to remove them, and to add new plants.
This week, new trees have been planted. One of those trees is from the Wellsville High School Class of 1974. Alumni bought a tree ahead of their 50th class reunion this year. Shane's father, Tim, is a member of that class.
"We cut up little snippets of 35 pieces of paper representing the 35 members of our class who have passed away," Tim Colligan said. "And we planted those in the dirt first and got the tree down on it."
Colligan says that volunteers from Wellsville’s Elks Lodge, the Wellsville Fire Department, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, friends, and family including Shane's mother Suzy, and Shane's sister Erin and her children maintain the park.
Despite his loss, Tim still finds a way to smile when thinking about his late son.
"I kind of joke that I couldn't get him to mow the lawn at home, and now I'm mowing another lawn for him," he said with a smile.
If you would like to make a contribution for improvements at the park, you can send donations to:
Shane T. Colligan Memorial Park
54 Herman Avenue
Wellsville, NY 14895