What to Know
- Junior varsity soccer coach and security guard Venel Edouard died in an early-morning house fire in Ramapo, officials said
- Edouard was a coach and security guard at Spring Valley High School, the school confirmed
- Spring Valley High School plans to hold a vigil for Edouard on its field at 1 p.m. on Sunday
A beloved soccer coach died in a fire in Rockland County early Saturday morning, police and the high school he worked at said.
Police on Saturday said a man died after flames engulfed a home on Rockland Lane in Ramapo around 5:30 a.m.
Hundreds of students, friends and coworkers gathered at Spring Valley High School on Sunday to share in their grief.
"You could count on him for stellar character to encourage our young people. And as you can see by this gathering, by this vigil, that he was very well loved," said Superintendent Dr. Deborah Wortham.
Edouard also worked as a security guard at the school, according to LoHud.
Former students and players gathered on the field, completing one more lap in his honor.
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"He taught us a lot. He taught us that no matter what the odds are against us just keep moving, keep pushing forward," said Alvin Chinchilla, a former student of Edouard's.
Counselors were available at the school vigil from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Investigators don't yet know the cause of Saturday morning's fire.
