A.J. Cina: 'He was the Brightest Light in the Room'

WESTON — St. Francis of Assisi Church was bursting at the seams on a drizzly Saturday morning, as family and friends came to pay their respects to A.J. Cina, 12, who lost his life in a bicycle accident in Wilton last week. People filled all of the pews. They stood along the side walls. They filled the rafters and the entry way — and many more stood outside during the funeral mass.

"Look at how God is present here right now, through the love of people's presence at the wake and here," Father Michael Dunn said from the pulpit. "See how loved A.J. and his family are. God shows his love through the support of others."

Dunn too has struggled to make sense of A.J.'s tragic accident.

"Today I feel is a day like no other," he told his congregation. "I am at a loss for words, just as all of you are."

A large portrait of A.J. was on display on the pulpit and Dunn said he placed it there to ask him for help in finding words of comfort.

"I stand before you and it is at times like these that I feel inadequate and unable to offer any comfort or help," he said.

Tragedies that cannot be explained evoke feelings of shock, devastation and loss, said Dunn, adding, "You are not alone. More than ever, God is present for you. More than ever, God is with you."

One thing Dunn said he wanted to make clear, especially to the children, is that A.J.'s accident was not God's will. "God did not want that to happen," he said. "God is a god of love."

Dunn said A.J. has been described as a sweet kid, a kind kid and a truly special kid who would walk to church and to religious education classes.

A.J. Knows Luge

A.J., a fan of the Yankees, Giants and Knicks, excelled in baseball and soccer.

His Little League Baseball coach, Rich Hassan, remembers the leadership A.J. showed on the team when he played shortstop.

"He played his heart out every moment," Hassan said. "His intensity was amazing. This kid could excel at anything. If we had a luge team, people would say, 'A.J. was made for luge."

A.J. was also a talented musician, playing the saxophone and teaching himself to play the piano.

Hassan said, "A.J. shined. He was the brightest light in the room, always thinking positive. We should always aspire to live life to the fullest, like A.J. I hope all of you keep his beautiful smile with you always." 

'I Love You All'

Hassan's son, Derek, was A.J.'s best friend. He shared fond memories of playing baseball and video games with him for hours on end.

"We had a great time playing the simplest game for hours — a plastic guy kicking a foam football through the uprights," Derek said. "It was just about being together."

Derek remembered a time when A.J. talked about all of the fun things they did together. "At the end, he said he loved me," Derek said. "I love you too A.J."

Colleen and Brian Crowe also shared memories of their cousin, from A.J.'s "big smile" and sense of humor to camping trips and holidays shared.
 
A.J.'s sister Kelsey spoke last.

"A.J. wasn't only my brother, he was indeed my best friend and my other half," Kelsey said.

She recalled the typical brother/sister spats and of sleeping in a bunk bed with him when she couldn't fall asleep growing up.

"He was a perfect human being," she said. "I wish it wouldn't take something like this to realize that. This is the most horrifying thing to ever happen to me and I thank you all for coming and supporting us. I love you all."