The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Teen remembered as cool, caring, helpful
Community turns out for funeral of 16-year-old killed in crash
The community turned out Tuesday to pay its respects to Coby Stevens, 16, who died in a car accident.
From friends and family to fellow students and teammates, the community came out to remember and appreciate the life of Coby Stevens.
Coby R. Stevens, 16, of Canastota, was driving his pickup truck along Lewis Point Road on Aug. 23 when he lost control and swerved off the road, hitting a tree. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
At Campbell Dean Funeral Home in Canastota, people lined up for blocks around and waited to pay their respects at Stevens’s wake. Among them was Jason Schermerhorn, 16, who was Stevens’s passenger the day of the accident.
“I don’t knowwhat happened. I can’t remember anything,” Schermerhorn said.
When asked how he was doing physically, Schermerhorn said he was doing well. After the accident, Schermerhorn said he was unresponsive for around three hours.
Upon waking up, he had no idea what had happened, but was soon left heartbroken when he learned the news.
“I didn’t know he died,” Shermerhorn said. “Coby was caring. He was a cool person to hang around and loved everybody. He didn’t hate anyone.”
Corey Biddlecome, a ninthgrade student at Canastota High School, said he’s known Stevens for around six to seven years. He was in disbelief when he heard the news.
“I was playing basketball with a couple of friends. It was just
a normal day until someone sent me a text,” Biddlecome said. “When I found out, I didn’t believe it at first.”
Stevens played several sports at Canastota High School, including football.
Biddlecome said he’s gone to the scene of the accident where a cross has been set up with Stevens’s jersey and football helmet.
“I signed everything,” Biddlecome said. “Coby was a legend. He cared about everyone. Everyone he knew, he loved them. He was a great guy, caring and a lot of fun to be around.”
“Coby was a fine young man who lived life to the fullest,” Canastota Head Coach Tom Congden said. “While competing in any sporting event, he was one of the toughest competitors around. Outside the athletic arena, Coby was one of the nicest young men around. Our football family cherishes the time we got to spend with him. Whenever he came in contact with someone, he not only made that person better, he created happiness for that person as well. Coby Stevens will forever be remembered as a Canastota great in football, wrestling and baseball. As great of an athlete as Coby was, he was an even better person. On behalf of the Canastota Football pro- gram, we send our condolences to his family, friends and teammates. During tough times, we have to lean on one another to help soften the blow of such a tragedy. Always remember, in Canastota, ‘We are family!’ Let’s continue to help each other during this excruciating time.”
Any contributions in Stevens’s memory may be made to the Coby Stevens Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 175 Canastota, N.Y 13032.