Emails & Pix

We are most thankful for the heartfelt way in which friends of Jeremy and his family have reached out with comfort and consolation.
Especially informative are the poignant vignettes of how Jeremy touched others.
With no way to respond individually to the volume of email, as they are read, each is posted on this site for all to read.
This seems to be an appropriate way to share everyone's feelings of Jeremy,
and his significant interaction in other's lives.
This honors his generous and considerate way of life.

Nancy, Geoffrey, & Ernie April

Subject: Sad news in the freestyle community
Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 22:34:03 -0400
From: "Richard Stone"
Reply-To: "Nick Preston"

On behalf of the April family, it is with deep sadness that I must inform you that Jeremy April has passed away. He was discovered in his dorm room at Union College, unconscious, Monday morning, April 29th.

Jeremy was one of Freestyle's finest athletes. Only days ago, he had been selected to the USFST C Team in Aerials, a milestone goal for Jeremy. His parents, Nancy and Ernie, and younger brother, Geoff, are deeply involved in freestyle. They are a Mount Snow family, whose contribution to the entire family of freestyle, whether as athletes, scorers, volunteers, organizers, leaders, and friends is an inspiration to so many lives and exemplary of what our sport is really all about.

The loss of Jeremy has cast an unbearable pall over us all and unimaginable pain to the April family. Please send your emails and condolences in response to the Mount Snow web site address I have included. No specific arrangements have come from the April family at this time. I will do my best to keep you all informed.

I would only like to add that Jeremy was one of my own tight circle of athletes and a beloved friend.

Nick Preston

Subject: April Family Address/Visitation Change of Location
Date: Thu, 02 May 2002 15:42:16 -0500
From: "Nick Preston" <npreston@cyberportal.net>
To:

Thank you all on behalf of the April family for your kind words and condolences. I will forward all of your messages to the Aprils as expediently as I can.

Many have you have requested the Aprils' address to send cards and flowers. The April family is in the process of finding an appropriate foundation that deals with teenage suicide, where memorial donations, whether in lieu of flowers or otherwise, can be sent. The details of this shall be on Jeremy's Mount Snow web page. Certainly, anything you feel compelled to do on behalf of the family is graciously appreciated.

The family's home address is:
Nancy, Ernie, and Geoff April
34 Rockleigh Rd
Rockleigh, NJ 07647

Those of you planning to attend the visitation on Friday of the service on Saturday will find directions and all details on
Jeremy's page. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOCATION OF THE VISITATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO: MORITZ FUNERAL HOME, 98 Route 303, TAPPAN, NEW YORK. Hours are 2PM to 9PM ON FRIDAY. All other arrangements are as initially posted on Jeremy's web page with no changes.

I would like to add that in establishing some sense or reason for this tragedy, the family has been involved in dialogue
with experts in these matters who have advised them (as best as I can paraphrase) as follows:

Although Jeremy seemingly was his own culprit, in fact, he had suffered a real disease, as real as if he had died of a more visible physical illness, that overwhelmed his psychology, and ultimately, his physiology. There is no one to blame. There is only the task of medical science and society to come to grips with, and find a cure for, this silent and emerging killer of teens.

Your condolences have been so meaningful and supportive of the family. As you can imagine, this has been an extremely difficult time for the Aprils. Please keep your emails coming. They are reviewed frequently by the family each day.

Nick Preston

Subject: Jeremy
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 11:03:35 -0400
From: "GOODWIN,LYNN"
To: Ernie April <ewa1@columbia.edu>

I had the privilege of coaching, traveling, and gaining a friend within Jeremy. His smile was contagious, his thoughtfulness was genuine, and his heart was pure gold. My heart is torn, while I have the deepest sympathy for Nancy, Ernie, & Geoffrey.

Jeremy is already deeply missed among a community that stretches far and wide. My thoughts and prayers are with him and with the Aprils in this time of mourning.

Fondly, Lynn Goodwin

Send e-mail for posting here to ewa1@columbia.edu