Ex-Westfield Sports Star To Be Laid To Rest Saturday

WESTFIELD, NJ - Family, friends, former teammates and other loved ones will have a chance to say goodbye to Maurice Boatwright Saturday. Boatwright was a Westfield resident and Westfield High School Class of '99 graduate who was killed Oct. 6 in a double fatal accident when the tanker truck he was driving overturned on Route 18 in Colts Neck, killing him and his passenger.

A visitation will be held Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Shiloh Baptist Church located at 525 West 4th Street in Plainfield followed by a celebration of life from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Since the accident, tributes to Boatwright have been pouring in.

"Mo was such a good guy," Tiffany Aliche said. "His passing is devastating."

Some sharing memories hadn't seen Boatwright in years, but he left an impression on them.

"One of the kindest people I can remember from school," Julianna Bendix wrote on the GoFundMe page set up in his honor. "My heart breaks for your family and friends. Rest peacefully."

Boatwright was a Blue Devils basketball and football player in High School and was the leading scorer on the 1998 and 1999 basketball teams, finishing with 257 and 329 points, with a high game of 38 against Plainfield in 1999. According to the Westfield School District, only Hall of Fame player Bob King scored more with 43 and 42 in a single game. His 586 career points is tied for 33rd all-time with Bob Haines ('59), and ahead of Hall of Fame players Jim Kane, Brian Ciemniecki and Dick Myers.

Boatwright was a backup split end on the 1998 football team that went 9-3 and played for a state sectional title against Morristown at Giants Stadium. He caught six passes for 78 yards that season, including four touchdowns from Quarterback Brandon Doerr.

"I heard the sad news from a couple of my former players today," Westfield Basketball Coach Kevin Everly said. "As I reflect back about Maurice I remember an intense competitor on the basketball court who never wanted to fail and who's laugh and smile lit up the room."

Boatwright brought that laugh and smile with him to college. He was listed as a member of the Montclair State Red Hawks squad from 2001-2002 and played under Montclair State Head Basketball Coach Tim Fiore.

"Mo, that is what we called him, was well respected by everyone and he respected everyone else in return," Fiore said. "I really can only say positive things about him."

After college, After College, Maurice played professional basketball for the New Jersey Lightning in the Eastern Basketball Alliance (EBA). After college, Boatwright also settled back into Westfield, which Fiore said perfectly fit his personality.

"He was always involved in his community. He never forgot where he came from. He was always looking to give back to Westfield," Fiore said. "

Julia Ashby said her family benefitted from Boatwright's support.

"Mo has helped train my daughters and only wanted to see them succeed. He always made time to come to their basketball games from high school through college," Ashby said. "He always had a positive attitude and you would never see him without a big smile on his face."

The GoFundMe campaign set up in his honor by Megan Marie DeCristoforo touched upon Boatwright's kindness and community spirit.

"Maurice was an upstanding and devoted family member, friend, coach and mentor in the community," DeCristoforo said.

Fiore called the loss tragic and and expressed condolences for the family Boatwright left behind, particularly for his young daughter.

"This was a very giving guy in his own community and I know he was a loving father," Fiore said. "He loved his daughter."

Boatwright's daughter Pariss is the focus of the fundraising campaign, as DeCristoforo said Boatwright's loved ones were shocked and saddened by his tragic death.

"He was 37 years young and the proud father of a beautiful baby girl named Pariss. This fundraiser is being created in order to ease the sudden expenses of a funeral, as well to start a fund to help care for Maurice's young daughter, Pariss," DeCristoforo said. "Assistance of any kind is greatly appreciated."

As of Thursday, the GoFundMe campaign, with an initial goal of $3,500, had accumulated over $8,000.

"God rest his soul and provide for his baby girl," wrote Theresa Smith.

Louis Mercer said on the fundraiser page that he wished Boatwright's family strength and love and shared a message for Pariss.

"You may never know him in the physical but your father will always be your surrounding Angel and his biggest gift he gave you is that smile," Mercer said. "So on your darkest day just smile and laugh."

(Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner )

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