Child’s love of park to be commemorated
By Davy James, Staff Writer
Following the death of 23-month-old Brady Wells to leukemia in July, the Township Council expressed its support for a plan to name a path in a local park after Brady and have a memorial plaque placed at the location in his honor.
During the council meeting Tuesday evening, a neighbor of the Wells family asked the council to consider the plan because of what College Park, which is located near the Wells residence, meant to the family.
”Prior to his passing, Brady’s mom and dad would take him on walks on that pathway in College Park and he got a great deal of joy seeing everything that goes on there,” said neighbor Rich Domotor. “This would be a wonderful tribute and we hope it brings (parents) Mike and Sherrie a little comfort.”
During the discussion of the memorial, each council member said they supported the plan as a tribute to the family and the foundation that the family started in Brady’s honor, the Hugs for Brady Foundation.
”This was a terrible tragedy that occurred,” said Mayor Frank Gambatese. “I often saw Brady’s mother taking him for a walk past my house over the past 8 or 9 months. You couldn’t help but feel for this child. He brought joy to his mother and father and he brought joy to everyone in this township who came in contact with him.”
Brady was diagnosed with non-differentiated acute leukemia on Oct. 12, 2009, according to the foundation web site. He went through six rounds of chemotherapy and one peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Just 72 days after Brady’s successful transplant he relapsed and passed away in his mother’s arms on July 30.
”This is an insidious disease,” said Councilman Joseph Camarota. “This is something that will be an indelible tragedy for the parents and friends that they will remember forever. I don’t recall ever naming a path after someone so this memorial is unique and different and I support it.”
The proposal calls for a small plaque to be placed near the path in the small park, which is located near the Wells’ home.
”These small pocket parks are there to put a smile on people’s faces,” said Councilman Chris Killmurray. “This particular pocket park brought a smile to the family. This is the type of thing that makes South Brunswick stand out and I think it’s an excellent idea.”
Mr. Domotor said he hopes future generations will see the plaque and be inspired to donate to the Hugs for Brady Foundation.
”I hope people stop and look at the memorial and realize leukemia is a devastating disease,” he said. “I hope they can maybe pay it forward and make a donation to Hugs for Brady.”
The council is expected to adopt a resolution for the memorial during its meeting on Sept. 28. For more information on the Hugs for Brady Foundation or to make a donation visit www.hugsforbrady.org.