Former AMU Student Remembered for His Dedication, Love of Life

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Published on Thursday, 27 October 2011 23:59

Jon Scharfenberger was recalled Thursday as a young man who inspired those who knew him and lived a life of joy and love.

Students, faculty, Ave Maria town residents and others from southwest Florida turned out for a memorial Mass in the Ave Maria Oratory for the young man who died recently at age 22 from injuries suffered in a car accident in Georgia. He had been attending a pro-life conference in Atlanta, working for the Students for Life organization, which he joined shortly after graduating from Ave Maria University in the spring.

"His life was richly lived, richly blessed, even though far too short," said Fr. Robert Garrity, AMU's director of campus ministry, who delivered the homily at the Mass.

"Our hearts are still broken, and it will take time for the Lord to heal them," he said.

Fr. Garrity, who attended Jon's funeral last weekend in New York State, said, "His mother said even as a little boy, he wanted to be closer to God."

He read some other remembrances from students and friends of Jon's, who remembered the young man as someone who "had a beautiful soul," who was a great role model and an inspiration to their lives.

Although passionate and serious about the pro-life cause, Jon also lived a life that was full of generosity and joy, many recalled.

"He showed me that doing what was right didn't mean you couldn't have a good time doing it," one friend said.

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