Family, Friends Remember Shick
By Tracy Zupancis Hoya Staff Writer
A crowd of family, friends and faculty filled Holy Trinity Catholic Church to near capacity Wednesday night for a ass honoring the memory of David Shick.
Shick, who was a junior in the McDonough School of Business, died Tuesday due to injuries sustained in what witnessed have described as a fight between two groups of students on Friday, Feb. 18. He was 20 years old.
The service began with music and prayer, including readings by Devon Shick, David Shick’s sister, and Shick’s friend Joe Matteo (SFS ’01).
University President Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J., gave the homily. “We come to remember your son, our student and friend David Andrew Shick, and entrust him to God,” O’Donovan said. He noted many of Shick’s accomplishments throughout high school and college.
Related Story Junior Dies After Incident
Shick was born Oct. 14, 1979 at George Washington Hospital. O’Donovan said that Shick placed in the top 10 percent of his high school class, served in student government and was chosen as a New Jersey scholar-athlete during his senior year. “We were proud here at Georgetown to welcome him to the Hilltop,” O’Donovan said. Shick came to Georgetown as a biology major in the College, then transferred to the business school.
“We knew Dave as a kind young man who cared for and respected others. He liked to organize things. Brought people together, made them laugh, having, in fact, more fun himself than anyone else present . I was never subjected to this, but I am told he would play new things for 72 hours straight,” said O’Donovan, who said Shick’s interests as including skiing, soccer, weightlifting and being adventurous.
“He loved Georgetown and embraced it, as he embraced everything in life from the moment his proud parents first embraced him. This was a young man, all too young, who we now trust to the Lord,” said O’Donovan.
“Death is not extinguishing the light, but turning out the lamp because dawn has come,” O’Donovan said. He added in closing, “Tonight we hear the Lord say, ‘Love and trust each other.'”
Shick’s freshman year roommate and friend C.T. Brown (MSB ’01) spoke of the friendship he shared with David, calling him “the brother I never had,” adding, “we were inseparable.” Brown recalled the first time he met Shick, when they surveyed their small room on the first day of freshman year. “He started out to be a doctor . but my study habits soon rubbed off on him, and that was the end of that,” said Brown. He noted how David loved to organize parties and have fun.
“Dave was a remarkable person, and I hope everyone can keep a memory of him in their hearts. Dave – you are the best friend I will ever have. I’ll always remember you, I love you, your friend, C.T.,” Brown said.
Shick’s girlfriend Erin Flynn (MSB ’01) read a poem given to her by a friend, which she said had aided her in dealing with her grief. “I will be waiting for you . somewhere very near, just around the corner,” quoted Flynn. “We love you David, we know you’re waiting for us,” she said.
Tawan Davis (COL ’00) led everyone in a dramatic rendition of “Amazing Grace” to close the ceremony.
After the Mass, all were invited to a reception on the second floor of Healy to share their grief with Shick’s family and friends.
