Community Strengthens Bonds in Honor of Dominic Geskey
By Alissa Malerman
HUNTINGTON WOODS – Friends, family and classmates are planning a slew of remembrances in honor of Dominic Geskey, a constant smiling face and beloved community member, after he died unexpectedly at home March 13.
Dominic Geskey, 15, of Huntington Woods, was born July 24, 2001 in Lansing and attended Berkley High School. Surviving are his parents, Stephen and Mary (Blazevich) Geskey and his sisters, Claire and Ella.
Dominic, 15, was an active member in the LINKS peer to peer program, and a beloved member of the autism community.
“We will remember Dominic’s vibrant smile, his kind soul and how he set a great example for us all by living in the moment,” Berkley Superintendent Dennis McDavid said in a letter emailed to the community March 14. “Anyone who encountered Dominic walked away feeling better for having met him. We wish his family comfort and peace during this difficult time.”
Dominic’s mother, Mary Blazevich, said she is comforted by the community’s support. She said she is finding out what she always knew, that the impact Dominic had on the community and his peers is profound.
Blazevich says her phone is ringing off the hook with stories about Dominic and “not once do they mention his autism.”
She said that she has seen the paradigm begin to shift through Dominic’s life, and others have come to accept autism as just one part of his wide array of strengths.
“I just want to take this opportunity for people to see that it should be like this every day,” Blazevich said. “This child, with his kindness gave us a new way of looking at things. Everybody should see that our kids are assets. If they dig a little deeper and look a little closer, they would see all the gifts they bring.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Geskey house, 10095 Lincoln Drive, Huntington Woods.
Other forms of community support include:
~A Wear Blue Day today (March 16) at Berkley schools in support of Dominic.
~A rededication of the Hoops for Autism Event in Dominic’s name.
~A scholarship fund to be named and awarded in Dominic’s memory at the High School.
~A park bench in front of the Huntington Woods Police Department to be named in Dominic’s memory, complete with prime car-watching views.
~The community is posting teal ribbons on trees, lights and other objects in support of Dominic and autism aweness by the community.
A gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/dominic-geskey.
A visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 320 W. Seventh St., Royal Oak on Saturday 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m Funeral Sunday 1:30 p.m. at the church. The family is asking for contributions to be made to http://www.micommunitycorp.org/ in lieu of flowers.
Members of our Crisis Response Team were available to meet with students individually and in groups March 14, and continue to be available over the coming days and weeks, McDavid said in the letter.
“The Berkley School District is a strong family and community,” he concluded. “We are all heartbroken by Dominic’s passing. Please know we will continue to support the Geskey family and our students as long as they need.”
This story is presented without advertising due to the subject matter. Please support our sponsors at https://oaklandcounty115.com/sponsorshipadvertising/.