Don Bosco Prep Alumni Killed In Crash Were 'Men Of Character And Joy'

RAMSEY, N.J. — The Don Bosco Prep community reacted with sadness and heartbreak Monday after learning that two recent alumni, Samuel Cali and Leonidas Vagias, were killed when the Lexus they were in flew off Route 287 and into the woods.

Don Bosco Prep football coach Spencer Fox announced that a prayer vigil would be held at the school Tuesday. A time was not announced.

Friends, other high schools, and friends of Cali and Vagias took to social media to express their condolences to the school and those who knew the young men.

Don Bosco Prep Principal John Stanczak released a statement on the school's website Monday.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic death of our former students, Sam Cali and Leo Vagias. Both young men represented the heart and soul of Don Bosco Prep — men of character and joy, kindness and goodness. They were gifted student athletes, whose great promise was yet unrealized. Each had a passion for making the community around them better, and did so with love and happiness, Stanczak said.

"While the loss of any life is tragic, the loss of young lives is even more so. Our community has been changed because of their presence in it, and will be changed because of their absence from it. This is a profoundly sad day for Don Bosco Prep. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to their families and friends. The school community and the Salesian community will offer whatever solace we can to our entire family throughout this tragedy."

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