Local Pastor Draws Connection Between Tragedies

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor John Havrilla began his work in Orangetown in July of 1973, just a month before Orangetown Police Officers Michael Reedy and Thomas Kennedy were struck and killed by a drunk driver on Route 303 in Blauvelt.

Havrilla gave the opening prayer at a ceremony honoring their memory and naming Orangetown's new emergency operations center in their name Friday in Orangetown town hall as the community is again dealing with the loss of two young people. 

Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon, who died in a boating accident July 26, both grew up in Pearl River. Stewart was set to be married at Good Shepherd Aug. 10. Instead, Havrilla led her funeral services Aug. 1 at the very same church, one where Reedy's brother Steve is a long-time member.

"I stand before you today with a wound not unlike 40 years ago," Havrilla said. "In our congregation, we lost a very young, beautiful girl. At this hour, we have a mass for one of the young men, Mark who died in the accident on the Hudson. That event, as I thought about my remarks today, brought me back to the depth of sadness 40 years ago that enveloped families like ours and this community. I couldn't help but be shaped by that."

Havrilla spoke about the impact of losing people who are so young.

"I came (to Pearl River) a month and a day prior to those young men losing their lives," Havrilla said. "I was 25. I am here just having celebrated my 40th anniversary of ordination and I have 40 years to look back on, but t hose two men do not and we don't have that shared history with them. As I thought about it, and forgive me for being this personal, but somehow the contrast took hold of me and reminded me how precious young life is.

"I did not realize that Officer Reedy was related my friend and a member of my flock, Steve Reedy. All of these confluences serve to remind us that our joys and sorrows and our grief and our gain in life really only make sense when (they) are shared together."

For more on the recent tragedy in Rockland County:

Advisory Issued for Boaters As 24-Hour Bridge Work Begins

Tragedy On The Hudson: A Timeline

Boating Accident Investigation Continues into Next Week 

Grieving Friends, Family Say Farewell to Mark Lennon

Mourning Boat Crash Victim Lindsey Stewart

Boater Who Warned of Barge Danger: ‘Like Brick Walls’ on the River

Nyack Boater Warned of 'Potential of Collisions' Before Fatal Accident

Grieving Familes: 'None of Them Saw the Barge'; Parents Ask for Public's Help

Boat Accident Victim Lennon's Funeral Set for Friday

Funeral Arrangements Set for Boating Accident Victim Stewart

Boating Accident Victims Died of Drowning, Officials Report

Experts: Hudson River Crash Highlights Need for Better Boat Safety Law, Systems

Second Body Found Near Site of Boat Accident

1 Body Recovered, 1 Still Missing After Boating Accident