Milford Mother Keeps Son's Legacy Alive While Helping Others

By Brian McCready, Milford Patch Editor

When Sheryl Felisko’s son, Nick, died suddenly at the age of 14, she found a way to keep his legacy and memory alive, while also helping others.

Nick Felisko, of Milford, died on Feb. 8, 2013. He was a freshman at Notre-Dame High School of West Haven.

He loved his school and basketball, and Nick’s mother found a way to combine both of Nick’s loves into something that would benefit others.

A basketball tournament will be held this weekend in Nick’s memory, and all of the funds raised will go toward the “Nick Felisko ‘16 Memorial Scholarship” at Notre-Dame High School.

“For five years he played on the 76’ers basketball team for the Devon Rotary Knights Basketball League and he was known for his 3-point shots,” Felisko said.

“Nick was a kind, fun loving kid, and he loved basketball. When Nick passed away Devon Rotary Knights Basketball League was kind enough to designate one of their weekends of their Hoopfest tournament as “Nick Felisko Day.”

It is held at the Parson’s Complex in Milford. This is the 3rd annual event, which will be held on March 14 and March 15 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

There is a 50/50 raffle at each game, for a $2 donation organizers sell paper basketballs that people sign, and are displayed at the Parson’s Complex.

This year there will be a $5 raffle, raffling off the following:

• 4 premium seats for Boston Celtics game for their 2015/2016 season
• A Celtics Jersey signed by #36 Marcus Smart
• 2 premium tickets to the Ariana Grande concert at Madison Square Garden, for the March 20 date

In addition to the above, for every 3-pointer made in the tournament that weekend, the Devon Rotary Knights Basketball League will donate $3 to the scholarship, Sherly Felisko said.

“The Hoopfest tournament is run by Keith Rice and Mike Alessie and they are very generous in allowing us to have our fundraiser there,” Sherly said.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the:

Nick Felisko ‘16 Memorial Scholarship

Notre Dame High School

24 Ricardo Street

West Haven, CT 06516

“I have set this scholarship up for a graduating senior from Notre Dame. I will be issuing the first scholarship next year in 2016 which will be Nick’s graduating class,” Sheryl said.