Sunday Afternoon 5/15/05 - Dan
Kelly Memorial/Wake - Devin and Clare Corcoran's home
Between 150 and 200 people attended the wake which was held in the very
expansive backyard of the Corcoran's home. A number of people arrived
early (before 1pm) to help with set up. The yard was set up with many large
round tables and chairs decorated with Dan's old running shirts and
other clothing items (even the legs of some of the chairs had Dan's
Runners High socks on them). There were also 5 pop up tents for shade
over many of the tables. The courtyard served as the food area and there were
delicious offerings of many different kinds. Beverages were also in
plentiful supply. Upon arriving there was a guest book table which
included photo books, some of Dan's art work, as well as large
framed photos of Dan.
At about 2pm the first eulogy was delivered by Clare Corcoran
describing the true friend that Dan was to her, Devin and the children.
Clare was followed by Dan's brother Tim who described Dan's life from
early boyhood as a sickly boy with rheumatic fever, to a standout in
sports as a teenager, to a brave and decorated Vietnam veteran, to a
lost and confused returning veteran. Tim described how Dan turned
his life around when he turned his passion to running. Claudia the
Special Olympics leader described how dedicated Dan was to the Special
Olympics program. Neighbors, long ago schoolmates and even one of Dan'
college girlfriends all gave touching tributes to Dan. Paul Browne gave
a particularly poignant and humorous talk about the essence of Dan as a
"really sweet guy". Lorenzo Herrera told a moving story
of how Dan helped and encouraged his running.
The common theme of all the eulogies was that Dan was forever looking
for ways to be of help to people and animals.
Amy Fillipow produced an about 15 minute imovie which she showed to
groups of 15 to 20 people on a continuous basis all afternoon following
the eulogies. This imovie was beautifully done with appropriate
accompanying music. Many a tear was shed during each showing of Amy's
imovie.
This memorial was made possible by Devin and Clare's love and
hospitality, Amy Fillipow's imovie and her part in getting the obituary
published, Pam Rayburn's work in constructing the photo album, Leo
Gutierrez who baked and decorated the cakes, many others
who brought food items, the tents that were brought by David Goforth,
Paul Browne and Steve Moreno, the large framed photos of Dan brought by
Mark Kariya, all the people that helped with set up and clean up, the
love and respect shown by all who attended, and the dozens and dozens of
people who have donated money to the Team Runners High,
Dan Kelly Fund.
