Second John Kelly Memorial Softball Game This Month

It's often the case that, one year after a member of a community dies, friends, family and neighbors come out to remember the person...but after some time such events fizzle out.

That is not the case with Dobbs Ferry's John Kelly. 

On March 28, 2011, Kelly—then 24—took his own life after a years-long battle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Kelly's friends said he struggled mainly in silence,

For the second year, Kelly's friends John and Paul Tessitore and Frank and Kevin Farrington have organized a softball game-fundraiser in Kelly's name, donating all the money they raise to the National OCD Foundation.

Last year's game garnered more than $8,000, and John Tessitore hopes to exceed that number this year both by expanding the number of players in the tournament and adding a few new elements to the all-day event.

will screen the film at the Ogden Engine Fire House directly after the game at 6 p.m.

"This is the kind of memorial John [Kelly] would have wanted," Tessitore said. "Something where people are laughing and having fun."

Tessitore and his fellow organizers have also created a program for the event, soliciting donations from local shops and restaurants. "We already know will provide food and and said they would as well," he said. "This event is really powered by the community because John was so much part of the community. We want to get them more involved every year."

The softball game will begin at 8:30 a.m. on July 21 at Gould Park (almost all spots for players have been filled). The film screening will begin at the fire house on Ogden Avenue at 6 p.m., and then an after party will follow in the fire house. Tickets for both the game and party cost $75. It's $40 either to play or to attend the party. The film screening is free, though Tessitore—who will be screening it one week later at the National OCD Foundation's Convention in Chicago—said donations are greatly encouraged."

Last year's funds, combined with money raised directly after Kelly's death, went to support National OCD Awareness Week.

"This year, we hope our money can go to helping people suffering from OCD who can't afford therapy," Tessitore said. Though, by giving the money they raise to the national organization, they can't be sure it will go to that purpose, all four organizers feel strongly that the money raised in John Kelly's name directly contributes to making people's lives better.

"That was what John was all about," Tessitore said. "I think the event gets bigger every year because John touched so many people's lives. I hope to host it every year until I die—and hopefully that won't be for a long time."

Find our more about the National OCD Foundation here. 

View photos from last year's event

Find their fundraising page here.

There are very few spots left on the six softball teams; to claim one of them, email John Tessitore at johnjtessitore@gmail.com.