In Loving Memory: Kyle Richard Francis Ormrod

(October 11, 1985 – August 15, 2004)

Kyle Ormrod always brought a smile with him wherever he was going and managed to brighten the moods of all through his kind words and humorous wit. Easy to talk to, Kyle was the life of the party. His bright personality always filled the room. Once he arrived, there would be no mistaking that he was present. His jubilant laughter could melt even the iciest of hearts, and through his outgoing, gentlemanly ways he befriended all who he met.

Spending his last three years at St. Michael’s Academy, Kyle was an example of dedication and perseverance. As a student, he always put forth his greatest effort, leading him to succeed in the classroom and enabling him to graduate with a 3.8 GPA. Gifted with an inherent intelligence, Kyle was a tutor and mentor to both his fellow classmates and younger students of the academy.

Especially gifted with music, Kyle’s emotionally charged tenor voice led the choir. He earned many solo performances in Academy programs, and his sophomore year he joined classmates to earn an “excellent” rating in the ensemble piece, “The Ash Grove.” Kyle always had a song to sing (usually one composed by his beloved Beatles) and when he was around there was never a silent moment. If there were a piano in the room, he would be playing it. With the mention of the drums or guitar, Kyle’s face would brighten. Before one was aware of it, he would be engulfed in a conversation about Kyle’s newest drumbeat or guitar riff. To Kyle, music was not only his gift, it was his passion; one which he made sure to share with all.

Kyle was also an avid athlete. He was a member of the St. Michael’s Warriors basketball and baseball teams. While he improved his basketball game his senior year, it is his baseball abilities that his friends and teammates recall. Kyle was the team’s first-baseman, and as a Member of the 2004 All-League Team, he was awarded at the Panorama Activities Association’s presentation on May 7. His uniform has been retired in honor of his achievements on the field. Number four is now encased in St. Michael’s Gymnasium, along with beloved student Patrick Schindler’s retired basketball jersey.

Outside of school, Kyle continued in his strides towards excellence. Over the summer of 2003 alone, Kyle dedicated four hundred hours of his time at the Port Huron Hospital, aiding the nurses and bringing happiness to the hallways. Also, he was the Supreme Grand Knight of the Knights of the Altar, at all times willing to serve our Lord as an altar boy. He was always there for others to lend a helping hand, whether it be unburdening a Sister of a heavy box, or volunteering his time to help at the Academy Auction.

Kyle lived his life with great love in his heart. He was always putting others’ needs before his own. He felt the purpose of his life was to help those in need; he was dually enrolled at Wayne State and his local community college and had declared Pre-Med as his major. He was well on his way to realizing his goal of becoming a pediatrician, as he particularly wanted to work with children.

It seems that our Lord had greater plans for Kyle than even he himself could envision, as he was taken in a car accident on August 15 of 2004. Kyle’s senior quote seems to remind those he left behind that God has His Own plans for each of us: “It may be the only purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others.”

Kyle will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and while he may be gone, his love remains. The light he brought into the world has not been taken away; rather it has lit a flame within all those he met. Through the light in each of these flames, Kyle will forever live on in our memories and hearts.

“Only one life, which soon is past; only what’s done with love will last.”

— Author Unknown

(Memories shared by classmate Shannon Marie Joy)