My Brother Killy

My name is Will Rankin and Killy was my little brother. He died suddenly at age nineteen. Although.... it has been twelve years since his death, I still think of him often.

All of us who knew Killy, feel a great sense of loss over what Killy would have contributed to his community, profession and country had he lived a longer life. Killy had many fine qualities that defined his character and the combination of his warm, likeable personality, his smile, wit and intelligence gave him that rare potential to make a powerful, lasting, and positive influence in the world.

Killy was enthusiastic about life, enjoyed many friends, he loved to snow ski (was named "Killy" by his mother Ann, after the famous French skier John Claude Killy) and worked part-time at a local ski shop and grocery store to support his many interests and activities. He was a full time student at P.V.C.C. and had plans to attend a university after graduation.

I believe that the greatest testament to Killy's contribution to others, was realized at his funeral mass held at Most Holy Trinity Church in Phoenix. The Rankin Family was asked by the priest who was to conduct the mass, how many people could be expected to attend? The family estimated that 50-75 people might be expected. Most Holy Trinity is an older church with a large indoor space and high ceilings. The estimated capacity of the church is in excess of a thousand people.

During the mass the church seemed to be overflowing with people, every space of every pew was filled, with numerous people standing in the isles. Many of the people I recognized, but many more, I did not know. Yet they knew, admired, and mourned Killy. I realized then, how many lives Killy had touched.

After the mass was concluded, the Priest came over to me and expressed his surprise at the overwhelming number of mourners and the outpouring of affection for Killy. He said that he would have liked to have been better prepared, had he anticipated such a large attendance, in order to more fully acknowledge and celebrate such a meaningful life.

submitted 2003.09.05