Harrison, NY – June 9, 2024: The Harrison community is mourning the tragic loss of 13-year-old Mark Anthony Giordano, a promising student-athlete from Harrison High School, who died following an accidental fall from the MTA parking garage roof on Sunday, June 9th, 2024. The incident has left the community heartbroken and has sparked an outpouring of support for his family through a GoFundMe campaign.
According to reports, Mark Anthony, an eighth grader at Louis M. Klein Middle School, was riding bikes with a group of friends on top of a parking garage near the Metro-North station. The fun outing took a tragic turn when Mark accidentally went over the edge of the fifth floor of the building. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, but despite their best efforts, Mark succumbed to his injuries.
The Harrison Police Department has ruled the incident as a tragic accident. “This is a devastating event for our community,” said Chief Michael Olsey. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time
The news of Mark Anthony’s untimely death has deeply affected the Harrison community. Harrison Central School District Superintendent Louis N. Wool expressed the collective grief in a letter to families: “Nothing is more difficult to fathom nor more tragic to experience than the loss of a child. Sunday, June 9, 2024, an eighth-grade student at our middle school, Mark Anthony Giordano, was in a fatal accident.”
Superintendent Wool also highlighted the swift response from the school’s faculty, coaches, and School Resource Officers (SROs) in supporting Mark’s family and the students. “Our exceptional faculty, coaches, and SROs stepped in immediately to support his family and our students. We have mobilized support for our middle and high school students, faculty, and staff and extend that support to anyone in our schools who may have known this resilient and remarkable young man,” he added.
Mark Anthony Giordano was more than just a student; he was an exceptional young man with a bright future. As an eighth grader, Mark achieved significant milestones in his athletic career. He wrestled Varsity at 220 lbs, earning recognition as an All-League wrestler and a Sectional Championship Qualifier. His potential on the wrestling mat and the football field was boundless. Beyond his athletic achievements, Mark was known for his respectful and polite demeanor, his love for his teammates, and his dedication to his family.
“Mark was beloved by his teachers, coaches, and friends. He was always respectful, polite, and a loving teammate, brother, and son. His loss is immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed,” said Coach David Hernandez.
In the wake of this tragedy, family friend Danielle Wilkinson has set up a GoFundMe page titled “Support Mark Anthony’s Family in Grief” to help with funeral expenses and other costs. The campaign has seen a tremendous response, raising $60,122 USD of the $75,000 goal. The community’s generosity reflects the high regard in which Mark was held and the collective desire to support his grieving family.
“Our goal is to assist his family to put Mark to rest and whatever expenses they will encounter in their time of need,” Wilkinson wrote on the GoFundMe page. The funds raised will help Mark’s mother Michelle and sister Liza navigate this difficult period.
Messages of support and condolences have been flooding in from all corners of the community. Friends, classmates, teachers, and even those who didn’t know Mark personally have expressed their sorrow and offered their support to the Giordano family.
“Mark was a wonderful student and athlete. His loss is a tragedy for our school and community,” wrote one of his teachers. “We are all heartbroken and stand with his family in their time of need.”
Funeral arrangements for Mark Anthony Giordano are currently being planned. Details will be shared with the community once they are finalized. In the meantime, the school district is providing counseling services for students, faculty, and staff who are struggling to cope with this loss.
A community vigil is also being organized to honor Mark’s memory. This event will provide an opportunity for friends, family, and community members to come together, share memories, and find solace in each other’s company. “We want to celebrate Mark’s life and the impact he had on all of us. It’s important for us to support one another during this time,” said a family friend.
The tragic death of Mark Anthony Giordano has left a profound void in the Harrison community. As the community rallies around his family with emotional and financial support, the memory of Mark’s vibrant life and promising future will continue to inspire those who knew him.
The outpouring of support through the GoFundMe campaign and the upcoming community vigil are testaments to the strong bonds within the Harrison community and their collective commitment to help each other through this tragedy. Mark Anthony Giordano’s legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
