A tree grows for Zachary

Zachary Ranftle's parents, Kathleen and Patrick Flood, center, shoveled dirt onto the spot where a tree was planted in Zachary's memory.

Micah Danney/Herald

Zachary Ranftle

Courtesy Memorial Junior High School

Memorial Junior High School Principal Anthony Mignella

Micah Danney/Herald

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Family and friends of Zachary Ranftle gathered behind the baseball field at Memorial Junior High School last Saturday to dedicate a tree that was planted there in his memory.

“Zachary, we love and miss you very much,” said Principal Anthony Mignella, who said a prayer at the ceremony’s end. “You touched so many hearts and souls during your short time at Memorial, and I know you touched hearts and souls while you were at your elementary school as well, and you were loved by everyone here today. Your kind heart, your graciousness and your huge, warm smile brightened the building every day and will be remembered, and I know you’re going to watch over us and your family always. We all miss you very much, and we’re so happy you’re going to be here growing through this beautiful tree through the years.”

Zachary, who was 12 and in seventh grade, died last Dec. 11, when he was struck by an SUV as he walked to school. It was the first day he was allowed to do it. The vehicle’s driver, Austin Soldano, 29, of Seaford, was charged with driving with a suspended license.

Kathleen Flood, Zachary’s mother, said she and her family have been “on edge” as they wait for a conclusion, as Soldano’s hearings come and go. She said she just wants to see everything “served the right way.”

“You gotta have something,” she said. “I want to say closure, but I don’t know that that would really do it.”

Flood fought back tears as she spoke about dealing with Zachary’s loss. “Words don’t really come that easily anymore.”

She said that the tree would provide a nice spot for the family to visit. Aaron, the eldest of Zachary’s younger brothers, played on the field with his Little League team in the spring and won every game there.

“He said that he got a hit ’cause his brother was here,” Flood said.

Her husband, Patrick, said the tree is a meaningful remembrance. “It means a lot because it was done by Scouts,” he said. “Here on the baseball field, where he would have loved to have been at first base; watching over any kid that plays here — visiting, home, doesn’t matter. It’s baseball. It helps. It helps because it’s somewhere to take Aaron, and we can play on the field and Zach’ll be there.”