On Friday evening, the Staples High School fieldhouse rocked. Over 120 Service League of Boys members and friends paid $25 each to join an energetic basketball fundraiser.
The beneficiary was a cause close to home: Staples Tuition Grants.
But the event was even more meaningful, for the many participants who remember Perrin Delorey: an elementary school baseball and hockey player, and Cub Scout. In his honor, Westport Little League presents a Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award each year, to players who model his sportsmanship and team spirit on the field.
Perrin Delorey at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, with Ted Williams. Perrin was a huge Boston Red Sox fan.
He would have been a Staples senior this year.
His friend Philip Sullivan writes:
This evening, I participated in my 4th and final SLOBS basketball fundraiser.
Next spring, the class of 2026 will graduate without our beloved classmate, Perrin Delorey. Tonight’s basketball fundraiser will benefit a scholarship named to honor Perrin’s memory.
Perrin was a 4th grade student at Greens Farms Elementary in 2018 when he died in a car accident shortly before summer break.
As a class, we were devastated. But for me the tragedy struck also at home. Perrin was my first cousin, and my best friend.
Perrin Delorey’s cousin Philip Sullivan (right), with Staples Service League of Boys fundraising chair Zach Gillman.
To preserve his memory, and to honor him by recognizing another member of our class with a Staples Tuition Grant, I am partnering with friends and family to create an endowed award in Perrin’s name.
The first award will be given to a member of the Staples class of 2026 this spring.
We have already raised more than $10,000 toward our goal of $25,000 to establish the award. Last night, the award was the very fortunate beneficiary of the basketball fundraiser.
A huge turnout for the Perrin Delorey Staples Tuition Grants fundraiser.
Many of Perrin’s friends were there, as was Perrin’s and my grandfather, Bill Ryan. He served as one of the referees.
To all who have participated and supported our efforts to grow this award, I extend my warmest thank you. If you would like to contribute directly to the Perrin Ryan Delorey “Do Your Best” Award, please click here.
Congratulations to SLOBs organizers: president Rei Seltzer, fundraising chair Zach Gillman, Philip Sullivan, and all the SLOBs who helped run the event. There are over SLOBs this year. Besides the STG fundraiser, they participate in a wide variety of volunteer projects, all year long.
Congrats too to the basketball champions: Evan Sealove’s team; to all 40 teams of participants, and to all the parent and student volunteers as referees, timers and more.
Thanks too to Pizza Lyfe: donors of 35 pizzas for the hungry crowd.
The winners were all freshmen! From left: Emanuel Linvald, Augie Francis, Brody Chlupsa, Evan Sealove.
Jordan Ginsberg, Sportsmanship Award winner.
Among the many participants: Perrin’s friends (from left) Michael Brennan, Jacob Marcucio and Charlie Curran.
Philip: what a powerful tribute to Perrin, who lived just down the street from us and was such a sweet kid. I can only begin to imagine how that sudden loss impacted you at such a young age—and the way in which you are keeping his memory alive is truly moving. But it doesn’t surprise me given what I know of the character and values of your extended family.
As Perrin’s mother I would like to take this moment to extend my warmest gratitude and appreciation for the entire Westport community. From the outpouring of support at the time of his death to the ongoing efforts to create this scholarship in his name, i have continuously been blown away and touched by how much our town has been there for us and for each other. Thank you Dan for posting. thank you vendors for your generosity at the time (Baker Graphics, The Boathouse at Saugatuck, Harding Funeral Home, Botanica, Westport Little League, Green’s Farms Elementary School and others i am probably forgetting). Thank you Staples Tuition Grants and thank you to all who have donated and continue to put your time and energy behind this cause. My husband James Delorey and I are grateful beyond words and take comfort in knowing that Perrin’s legacy can continue to help fellow Westporters, hopefully for years to come.
I’m so sorry about what happened to Perrin but what a lovely tribute for the entire school to do. This is a lovely thing to do for a friend. May he rest in peace. ❤️
Staples Tuition grants- what a thoughtful and impactful way to pay tribute to the memory of Perrin- as well as to his parents and grandparents (especially including Referee Bill!!).