On June 3, 1956, David Gozelski, a third-grade student at St. Ann School in Hornell, drowned tragically. His family has remembered him in prayer all these 55 years — and David’s memory was honored in a special way earlier in 2011.
At the time of his death, David’s parents donated a statue of St. Anthony — whose feast day is June 13 — to be placed in a third-grade classroom in his memory. A few years ago, his brother Peter’s family and some friends asked about where that statue might be and if they could come to school and see it. It took a long time to locate it, and then it needed to be repaired and repainted.
Then, the plaque was suddenly located that went with it. (Somebody prayed to St. Anthony for that.) Pat McNeill of "Color Your World" donated her time and talent to repair and repaint the statue and plaque. Mark Clark, a teacher at St. Ann, taught the students about St. Anthony.
On Feb. 24 of this year, Deacon Robert McCormick; two of David’s brothers, Pete and Joe; friends, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Aini; Principal Lisa Dirlam; teacher Mrs. Lathrop; and students in grades 3 and 4 joined in prayers to rededicate the statue of St. Anthony to St. Ann School and to the third grade. Deacon McCormick suggested that all the people present, including students, say a prayer for David each time they look at the beautiful statue.
