Tree Honors Memory of Deceased St. Damian Grad Andrew Weishar

Andrew Weishar may be gone, but he is far from forgotten. 

A sapling stands facing St. Damian church, with a blue ribbon tied neatly around its trunk. Staff planted and blessed the tree in honor of Weishar, a 21-year-old St. Damian grad who lost his three-year battle with colorectal cancer in October 2012. 

Staff, alumni and members of the Weishar family gathered for the dedication Nov. 15. 

"What an inspiring tribute and testimony to a wonderful young man, and the teachers and people who helped raise him," said Weishar's father Don. 

Weishar, a graduate of St. Damian in Oak Forest and Brother Rice, was a football player for the Crusaders and continued to play after entering college at Illinois Wesleyan. As he faced his final battle with cancer, Weishar was known for his tenacity, positivity, and warmth toward the Oak Forest and Midlothian communities—who fondly remember their friend. 

"This community molded us as children, as men," said Andrew's brother Dan. "Andrew was the epitome of what St. Damian tries to create. 

"Thank you to the family. We are indebted to them forever." 

A foundation has been established in Weishar's name. Weish4Ever's mission is to honor Andrew’s request of paying forward acts of kindness and generosity. Although the foundation has a few listed benefactors (Cancer for College Fund, St. Damian Educate a Child Fund, The BR AWF, and the Illinois Wesleyan Student Fund), its goal is to raise funds to aid families battling cancer or other life changing illness in any way it can. 

Annual fundraiser Weish Fest—an all-day music festival with food and other activities—is scheduled for Aug. 9, 2014 at Standard Bank Stadium.