February 19, 2003
Memorial ride honors spirit of Courtney Tilley
Sled ride this Saturday honors young man killed in snowmobile accident
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Transcending the heartbreak of burying a child, Dennis and Kathy Tilley are determined that their son's spirit will shine on and help others for years to come. A bundle of energy and joy in life, their son Courtney - or Court - died last February in a snowmobiling accident at the age of 23.
With dignity and determination, the Tilley family is reaching out to the community in honor of their son's memory, hosting the Courtney Tilley Memorial Sled Ride this Saturday. The proceeds of this event will benefit students who are both involved in football and who are planning careers in the trades. Their dream is that this year's ride is the first of many and the family plans to offer this annual scholarship at area high schools indefinitely.
Despite her grief, Kathy Tilley finds healing in helping others who share her son's interests. Number 62, Court was a left defensive tackle on the Central High School Trojan football team, something he took great pride in. He also was excited about his career in plumbing and heating. A focused and determined young man, by the age of 22 he had built a home for his wife, Nichole.
Having the scholarship ride benefit the community reflects her son's boundless enthusiasm for life and extensive network of friends.
"I think it is healing to turn a negative into a positive, in a way it is continuing Court's energy," Tilley said. "He did more networking in one day that most people did in a month, there was no moss under his feet."
"It is healing for some of the guys to be able to participate in the ride, a lot of them have had a tough time with his death," she added of her son's co-workers and many friends. "The guys in the trades we have been able to reach are really supporting this."
The Courtney Tilley Memorial Scholarship began informally last year, when family, friends, Court's employer and "just some really kind people," said Kathy Tilley, raised $900. A family friend who had lost her husband suggested using the donations for a scholarship. Tilley contacted Dick Townsend, Central High School's principal, who was ecstatic about the idea.
Steve Trahair, Central's assistant principal, noted that a scholarship focusing on the trades was new to the school.
"I think it is good for all of our students to have this option available to them. We need to serve all portions of the population," said Trahair, who helped establish the scholarship and select the first recipient.
Last spring, a $500 scholarship was given to Curtis Moore, a graduating senior at Central High School and a Trojan football player who was beginning an apprenticeship as an electrician. Moore's application jumped out of the pile of applications for local scholarship help, making him the natural choice, Trahair noted.
"I called Kathy and said he's the one, it was just one of those wonderful things," he noted.
Since receiving the scholarship, Moore has become close to the Tilley family, keeping in regular contact. He also appreciates how the grant has helped his career and plans to ride Saturday in Courtney's honor.
"Not many first year apprentices can come in and get so many tools," said Moore, an employee of Windemuller Electric. "It put me that much farther ahead in my trade and helped me learn and progress."
Making friends with the Tilley family has been an unexpected but cherished benefit of receiving the scholarship.
"It has been awesome to get to know them and they have been really supportive in everything I do," Moore said.
Kathy Tilley in turn praises Moore, pleased at his generosity and interest in her son's life.
"He wanted to know about Courtney," she recalled. "He is a really good kid and a really hard worker and he is pretty special to us."
"He's got about $50 left and he wants to give it back, that's the kind of person he is," Tilley noted. "But I won't let him."
The Courtney Tilley Memorial Sled Ride will be held on Saturday, February 22. Registration is between 10 a.m. and noon at Peegeo's Food and Spirits, 525 High Lake Road. The ride will begin at noon and end at 7 p.m. at Peegeo's. Cost is $25 for a single rider and $35 for doubles; a chili supper at Peegeo's is included. Cost of the chili supper only is $7 for adults and $3 for children eight and under.