SHARE

Community Rallies To Help Twins Who Lost Mother, Somers' Terry Less

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. -- Members of the community are working to help 19-year-old twins and North Salem High School graduates Brendan and Michael Less after the passing of their mother, Terry, 56, of Somers on Monday.

A screen shot of the GoFundMe-based fundraiser for North Salem's Michael and Brendan Less. The photo is of the brothers, pictured at left and right, when they were kids.

A screen shot of the GoFundMe-based fundraiser for North Salem's Michael and Brendan Less. The photo is of the brothers, pictured at left and right, when they were kids.

Photo Credit: Screen shot/GoFundMe

Mitch Lanyi, a friend of the Less brothers who has known them since he moved to North Salem in seventh grade, set up a GoFundMe donation page to help cover the cost of their mother's funeral.

Lanyi added that the threshold for the funeral has been reached but that the difference in funds will be for their general needs.

The fundraiser has a goal of $30,000. As of Thursday afternoon, $22,286 has been raised with donations from 148 people in just one day.

The trio graduated from North Salem High School last year. The brothers are currently attending Keene State College, Lanyi added. 

The passing of the twins' mother comes as an additional blow, as they already lost their father, Lawrence, in 2008.

Lanyi said that he was "devastated" when he heard of Terry Less' death. He added that he can't imagine what they are going through.

Recalling his friendship with the brother, Lanyi mentioned that he played baseball with both when he was in middle school and played lacrosse with Brendan Less from eighth grade through their senior year of high school.

Lanyi also explained that his friends do not have family members locally but that relatives from New Jersey are visiting.

Interest in the fundraiser has spread. The North Salem Athletic Booster Club sent out an email Wednesday night mentioning the campaign and recalling Terry Less' presence.

"North Salem is an amazing small community that always helps those in need," the email states. "We are reaching out to the North Salem athletic community to ask for your support for two boys who have suffered the tragic loss of their only remaining parent, their mother, Terry Less."

The Booster Club's email also recalls the types of sports that the Less brothers played.

"Both boys were multi-sport athletes throughout their entire life in North Salem.  Mike and Brendan played soccer, baseball, basketball and lacrosse.  Terry, although a single working mother, found the time to be an active Booster club member and volunteer."

Visiting hours are scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at Clark Associates Funeral Home in Katonah. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, which is in Somers.

A link to the GoFundMe fundraiser is available here.

 

to follow Daily Voice Somers and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE