Mahwah Community Remembers Nicholas Lauerwald

MAHWAH, N.J. — Hundreds of people braved the crisp autumn air and cool breeze that blew across the football field at Mahwah High School Monday during a memorial service in memory of Nicholas Lauerwald, a 17-year-old senior who died Saturday after the SUV he was in left the roadway and struck a tree at Bellgrove Drive and North Bayard Lane.

Dozens of flowers and candles, a green soccer jersey, and a picture of Laurewald were placed at his space in the high school's parking lot. Signs pinned to a fence surrounding the field had messages on them like "Do It For Nick" and "Once a Thunderbird, Always a Thunderbird."

Those who knew him well addressed the crowd of more than 500 people, telling them that strived for excellence in all he did, especially his clarinet playing for the school's band.

Band director Jeffrey Bittner said at the ceremony that Lauerwald was "one of the most determined and most intensely-driven students" he ever had.

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Bittner and others spoke of Laurewald's desire to make all-county, all-region, and all-state bands — goals he set for himself as a freshman and achieved by this year, along with him being named first chair of the clarinet section.

"He will always be with us in every note that we play," Bittner said.

Laurewald's best friend, Dylan Pfiefer, said during the ceremony that Nick "was and always will be my best friend."

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Pfeifer started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Laurewald's funeral costs and to pay for memorial T-shirts and bracelets. As of Tuesday morning, nearly $25,000 had been donated. A lot of that money is expected to help finance a memorial scholarship in Laurewald's name.

Other friends spoke of Laurewald's sense of humor, unfailing kindness to others, and fierce loyalty to those closest to him.

"Mahwah is a close knit community and as we have done before during tragedy, we will join hands and support all those involved, their families, their friends and the entire student body, teachers and administrators who have difficult days before them," said Mayor William Laforet said in a Facebook post.

Minister Rob Parker asked people to pray for Laurewald's parents and his brother who attended the ceremony.

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Photos of the make-shift memorial in Nicholas Laurewald's parking space at Mahwah High School, notes left on the fence surroudning the football field, and Mahwah firefigthers walking into the memorial ceremony. Staff photos by Daniel Hubbard