Dinner and Raffle Raises More Than $6,000 for John H. Urwin III Memorial Scholarship Fund

At first, it was a slow stream of people, but the eventually filled to near capacity for the on Saturday night.

After expenses, $6,700 was raised for the scholarship fund which will be awarded in May to three graduating seniors who intend to pursue further studies in education, science or music.

"The money we raised is phenomenal," said John Urwin II. "That's two years worth of scholarship this year and we have another year in the credit union. We're thrilled about every aspect of the event."

Not only did the evening raise scholarship money, but for John and Laurie Urwin and their children, Leah and Kevin, it was another opportunity to continue to celebrate the life of their late son and brother, and not just with others who knew and loved him. Other guests said they attended because they had heard of his accomplishments and character as well as the fund that now helps students continue their education.

And there were, of course, members of the Coventry HS Music Department there, too, for  John H. Urwin III played the clarinet as a member of the CHS band.

The event once again united the community. A cadre of volunteers helped cook the meal and others brought baked goods to sell, with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund. And on tables joined to extend over 30 feet, several community businesses and individuals had graciously donated over three dozen items.

“Jim and Debbie Belanger suggested that we have a pasta dinner in his name,” said Laurie Irwin. "They and other volunteers continue to work so hard to cook and prepare these meals in the kitchen and do so much more stuff to help us.”

Among the raffle items were gift certificates for restaurants, goods and services, decorative gift baskets and much more. “Every item had some tickets pledged to them,” said John Urwin.

There was the grand prize, five tickets to a Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots NFL game in late October, won by Kevin Brown of Moosup, CT. Also raffled off was a Providence Bruins jersey with autographs from every member of the team.

Much of the food was supplied by local sponsors, including B.J.’s Wholesale Club, , Westcott Bakery and A Touch of Class.

The dinner is not the only event that bolsters the scholarship fund. “The John H. Urwin III Memorial Friendship Baseball Tournament by the Coventry Little League raised $1,000 again this year,” said Laurie. “I’m so thrilled they named it a friendship tournament because John was so helpful and friendly.”

Some relatives came a long distance from Patricia Austell of Charlotte, NC to the Curry’s- Uncle Skip and Aunt Joyce- over 3,000 miles away in Orange County, CA.  “He was a great nephew,” said Joyce, who baked “16 pounds of fudge” for the occasion. “We once went to Disney World and I was in a wheelchair. But he and his brother pushed us all around and never complained."

District 21 State Senator Nicholas Kettle of Coventry, who benefited from a scholarship awarded to him a few years ago, also attended the dinner.

John Urwin III had a love of sports, too, and appropriately enough there were banners of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox displayed. A cake with Pats-inspired frosting was also on hand.

Even five years after the tragic death of the once-aspiring science teacher, time has certainly not diminished the support and love for John. And while there is still sorrow and tears still etched in the faces of a few family members and friends, the legacy of this late Coventry student is carried on through his scholarship fund.

“John would be very impressed by what we are doing,” said John Urwin, Sr., his grandfather, of his late grandson. “It’s always been a very close family and he would always give us a hug."

For ongoing information about efforts by the Urwins to raise money for the scholarship fund, go to www.jhuiii.com or call the Urwins at 401-826-1746. To make a monetary donation to the John H. Urwin III Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit the .

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