Schools
DHS Freshman Andy Pena Dies; Service Set for Thursday [Update]
Pena was in Boston Friday with his family to attend a swim meet.
Update, 5:20 p.m. Monday:
The following obituary for Andy Pena was released Monday through Edward Lawrence Funeral Home:
Andy Pena, a resident of Darien, CT, passed away on March 25, 2011 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Born on April 25, 1996 in New York City, he was the son of Victor and Giovanna Pena of Darien. He was 14. He was a student at Darien High School.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Cesar Pena, grandmother, Maria Teresa Pena, aunt Nilda, uncle Michael and cousin Brandon Lewis
The family will receive friends at St. Thomas More R.C. Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The Funeral will be held at St. Thomas More R.C. Church, Darien on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, Darien is handling the arrangements.
Update, 3:21 p.m. Monday:
A service for Victor "Andy" Andres Pena has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at (374 Middlesex Road), according to Edward Lawrence Funeral Home.
On Wednesday, a visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A guestbook has been set up on the Edward Lawrence site for those wishing to send condolences.
Original article:
Darien High School students and staff members are mourning the loss of freshman Andy Pena.
Pena died Friday in Boston, where he was with his family, schools superintendent Stephen Falcone said Saturday evening. Pena was believed to have been on a treadmill when he collapsed, Falcone said.
The high school’s athletic director, John Keleher, told Patch Pena was in Boston to attend a swim meet.
In a note to parents, the school’s principal, Dan Haron, advised that two support centers will be established in the school Monday. They will be staffed by our counselors and psychologists “for any student who needs support,” he wrote.
"Kathy Gilbert, our school social worker, and Paul Ribeiro, our director of guidance, will also be visiting each of Andy’s classes during the day to provide additional support and assistance to his classmates," Haron said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pena family at this time of sadness and grief over the loss of a beloved member of the DHS community,” Haron concluded.
"This is obviously a tragedy," Falcone said. "I'm sure the school and the community will pull together."
A Facebook page in memory of Pena has been established at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rest-in-peace-Andy-Pe%C3%B1a/150484695014031.
On his own Facebook page, Pena says he's from Caracas, Venezuela.
