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Remembering Kevon Walker '24: 'His heart was full of love, full of dreams'
Keith McShea

“His heart was full of love, full of dreams, and the deep desire to do well for his family.”

That is how Spanish teacher Angela Cascia remembers the late Kevon Walker ’24.

A celebration of life for Walker will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., Buffalo, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Walker, a freshman at St. Francis University, passed away suddenly due to illness last Monday. 

Cascia worked with Walker on his senior Grad at Grad presentation, in which students are asked to take time over the course of their senior year to reflect on their experiences at CHS.

“I was blessed to work with Kevon on his senior Grad at Grad,” said Cascia. “It took me a minute to gain his trust, but when I finally managed to, he blew me away.

“He shared stories of his life with me, talked about the challenges he faced, he even cried with me at one point. … He was the epitome of a gentle giant. My prayers are with his family and his friends. May you rest in the arms of the angels, Kevon.”

Some addtional remembrances from the CHS community:

President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J.

“Kevon and I met for the first time in my office. He was excited and very grateful to be at Canisius. He was the big guy – but he was gentle, good, thoughtful and had a warm heart whenever we met.”

Paul Cumbo ’97, English teacher

“Kevon’s memory evokes, of course, a profound sense of loss. But that is not the only thing. Recalling our time together behind the Blue Doors also kindles joy, laughter, and admiration.

“He came in late to my third period English class on day one. It took two weeks for us to work through arriving on time, and in dress code. It took two months for us to fill in some gaps in his writing skills. But it didn’t take even two minutes to see that here was an emerging man with the strength, spirit, and heart to inspire others.

“I don’t think English class was his favorite part of the day, but that didn’t seem to matter. He was all in anyway. He brought joy and depth to our conversations. He read between the lines; he saw the mortar between the bricks. In his own way, I think he motivated other guys to do the same.

“His kindhearted wit brought on genuine smiles every day. He radiated life. What a gift.”

Courtnie Wojda, math teacher 

“I never taught him, but I knew him. He had a larger-than-life, charismatic personality that lit up every room he entered.”

Director of Athletics Jim Mauro

“Two things stick out to me: The first was at his signing ceremony. The pride he and his family felt for that accomplishment was incredible. The entire family was beaming ear-to-ear.

“The second was at this year’s St. Joe’s game. Kevon was wearing his St. Francis University travel suit and was proud to show it off. His smile that day told the story … he was incredibly happy and he wanted to show his Canisius brothers that he had made life better for himself.”

Paul Woods, assistant football coach

“I was actually the first person he reached out to about Canisius, via Twitter. He said ‘Coach, I want to change my life.’

“When I saw his transcripts, I was blown away by how smart he was. He and his family came in on a visit. He told us his dreams, that he had dreams of playing college football, and that he wanted to help his mom. His mom was everything to him and his siblings, and he wanted to change his life and her life and his family's life. And he thought this place was the best place for him to do it.

“Number one, what I saw was his smile. I remember the day like it was yesterday. He met me out in the Canisius parking lot, he got out the van with his mom, and he smiled. That was his first time seeing me and my first time seeing him. And his smile was so infectious.

“And his size of course – he was 6-4, 225 or so and I automatically knew that if this kid would buy into what we have here, he will go to college for free.

“He bought into the culture here immediately. And he was a leader. Some kids are here for four years, and don’t have leadership qualities, and that's OK. Kevon had it. And I think that came from his background, his upbringing. He knew he had to lead because he lost his father at a very young age.

“He texted me immediately that he was committing to St. Francis. I just knew it, I knew it from day one when we met in that parking lot, that he was going to have that moment.

“He was very spiritual. He believed in himself, he believed in his faith, and he wanted to do it for his mom, not only for himself. I know he made her very proud that day.

“Anything we can do, we will do it because Kevon was committed to Canisius, he was committed to us. We will forever remember him. Not only in my family, but the Canisius family … he was Mr. Canisius, everything he did exemplified that.”

Kraig Kurzanski ’84, head football coach

“I gave Kevon a lot of rides back and forth, and it always would be the same thing at the end of the ride: He was always respectful, and he would always thank me. The thing he would always say right before he got out of the car was, ‘Coach, thanks, I love you.’

“He was looking to try and change his life, and his words were ‘I want to  change his mother’s life.’ He did really well academically here, socially he was well loved, and certainly athletically he was a really good player. I hope it changed Kevon’s life – I know it did. And I know it changed my life.

“He was well beloved by his teammates, and me and his coaches. He is missed. It’s a devastating loss.”

#AMDG

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Sam Gugliuzza '25 plays with the BPO at CHS

What an extra-special night of holiday music in Scaccia Auditorium for Canisius High School and Sam Gugliuzza ’25.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performed at CHS for the second straight December, and the Tuesday, Dec. 17 concert included a wonderful moment as the BPO invited Gugliuzza, an accomplished violinist, to join them.

Remembering Kevon Walker '24: 'His heart was full of love, full of dreams'

“His heart was full of love, full of dreams, and the deep desire to do well for his family.”

That is how Spanish teacher Angela Cascia remembers the late Kevon Walker ’24.

A celebration of life for Walker will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., Buffalo, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.