By Simon Isham–

This week, U of L and the world at-large mourned the loss of Anthony Xavier Flaherty, someone whom I can only describe as a remarkable young man. At just 19 years old, Anthony was following a pre-med track as a biology major, a member of St. Barnabas Parish, the Senate Clerk in SGA, and President of Campus Y.

When Anthony took his own life at his home on Sept. 12, it came as a shock to his family and all of his friends. Within an hour of hearing the tragic news, well-wishers began to fill his Facebook page with compassionate memorials to Anthony, as well as condolences directed towards his family. The following are a couple of the ways that he will be remembered here at U of L:

“Anthony was a kind and gentle person. He was the type of person that everyone dreamed of being: he could speak well and he served his community till he had nothing left to give. More than anything though, he loved with all of his heart and would do anything for the people in his life. That is what I will miss most about him–his tremendous ability to love.” –Carina Edlin, a friend and confidante of Anthony’s

“Anthony Flaherty exemplified much of what the Y seeks to develop in young people: he was unfailingly caring, respectful, and generous. He used his considerable talents as a thinker and speaker to be the voice of the voiceless. For Anthony, the Y was a place to give back, and in turn the Y gave him the platform to be himself—with all of the humble and quirky brilliance that entailed.”  –Peggy Hatter, Operations Administrator at the YMCA Youth Association.

Anthony was interred on Monday at St. Michael Cemetery. His family has asked that expressions of sympathy be donated to Kosair Children’s Hospital, where he was treated for and survived cancer at age nine. But that is not the only endowment in Anthony’s name. The Kentucky Y has set up a permanent fund called the Anthony Flaherty Scholarship, which will sponsor one disadvantaged high school student to attend each of the Y’s social leadership conferences. They hope that it will enable a student to find a home in the Y, just as Anthony did. The donation campaign is online at www.indiegogo.com/Anthony-Flaherty.

There will be a public remembrance service for Anthony from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 in the Interfaith Center on campus.

Anthony will be remembered for his ability to love. He will be remembered for his willingness to listen. He will be remembered for his voice, his brilliance and his compassion. He will be remembered, always.