Dave Ahern, 28, Star Athlete from Bedford

BEDFORD, MA — A local star athlete will be laid to rest on Saturday at the age of 28 after passing away on Sept. 4 at Tufts Medical Center, surrounded by family.

Dave Ahern, 28, was a star baseball and hockey player for Bedford High School. He proceeded on to Babson College where he became the school's first and only All-American to come from the Wellesley college.

"Dave will go down in the record books as one of the most accomplished players to wear a Babson uniform. His on-field successes and accolades certainly speak for themselves. He was a leader on and off the field who always saved his best games for the biggest stage. But to me, Dave was so much more. He was the best teammate and leader that any program could ever ask for. He was the toughest of competitors and kindest of souls. He was a great friend to so many and he always made everyone feel important and special. Being a part of his fun spirit and witnessing his love for his teammates and his zest for baseball make me very lucky to have been his coach. During this incredibly heartbreaking time, I take solace in the fact that I had the honor and privilege of having Dave as a part of my life," said Babson baseball head coach Matt Noone.

Ahern graduated with a bachelor's degree in business marketing, and worked at a software firm in Boston.

Ahern went on to play professionally for the NYSL Federals of the Can-Am league in 2011, and was a member of the Lexington Blue Sox in the Boston Intercity League since 2001.

Dave was found unresponsive at his South Boston apartment on Aug. 18, and had been fighting for his life at Tufts medical center. As of Sept. 9, $84,674 was raised by 938 people in 15 days in support of Dave's medical bills .

“People just loved being around him because Dave made everyone feel welcome and because they knew he was there for them,” his brother Joe Ahern told The Boston Globe.

He was the son of Joseph and Denise (Cajolet). He was also the loving brother of Joseph Ahern and wife Catherine Middleton of Los Angeles, CA, Michael "Chip" Ahern of Boston and Rachael Ahern of Somerville.

Ahern was the boyfriend of Mia Morgan of Bedford, NH, as well as the grandson of Alice Cajolet of Cambridge and Irene Ahern of Medford and the nephew of Kathleen Friedman of Lexington, Karen DiRusso of Medford and Paul Ahern of Medford. He was a brother in law to Aaron Conley, and is also survived by many cousins.

Visiting hours will be held from the St. Agnes Church located at 30 Medford St. in Arlington from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Dave's GoFundMe page or the Michael Neely Foundation.

Image via Babson Athletics Press Release.