Funeral Set For Scotch Plains-Fanwood Freshman Who Died Last Week

SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD, NJ — Funeral services have been announced for a 14-year-old Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School student who died unexpectedly last week.

The school district announced the death of Carrington Reynolds on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

"Please keep his family and all who are grieving in your thoughts and extend our SPF family an extra bit of grace by looking out for one another during this extremely difficult time," Superintendent Joan Mast wrote in an email to the school community.

The district will have resources available including additional counselors on site for all middle and high school students and staff who need support in the days ahead, according to Mast.

The superintendent did not release any additional details at this time.

According to his obituary, Reynolds was born at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston to parents (Deacon) Victor and Crystal D. Reynolds.

At 15 months, Reynolds was recognized by Rutgers University as a "gifted baby" and although diagnosed with ADHD at age six, he was "an intelligent, inquisitive child and excelled in mathematics," the obituary states.

In the seventh grade, Reynolds' middle school Principal (Dr. Jocelyn Dumeresq) recognized him as a “S.O.A.R.” or “Student Soaring Outside of Park” after serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the homeless at Ocean Ave. Baptist Church in Jersey City where his uncle, Rev. Keith Treadwell, is the Pastor.

Reynolds had hopes to own his production company one day and enjoyed music and writing lyrics. He also served as a youth usher at Union Baptist Church and was part of the Youth Ministry of Union Baptist Church.

The obituary states that he also had a love for cooking and baking, as well as animals.

Reynolds leaves behind his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Victor D. Reynolds, and a large extended family and a host of friends.

A viewing will take place on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Thursday at 11 a.m., both at Union Baptist Church — 1088 East Grand Street, Elizabeth.

You can visit Reynolds' tribute wall here: www.judkinscolonialhome.com/obituaries/Carrington-DaCosta-Reynolds?obId=26840511#/celebrationWall.

The following are resources available to Scotch-Plains Fanwood students at this time:

• SPF School list with contact info for each, including Counseling Pages for each: https://www.realparentsxspf.org/resources#Schools
• Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators (NASP: National Association of School Psychologists) https://www.nasponline.org/.../addressing-grief-tips-for...
• Talking To My Children About A Sudden Death (Imagine New Jersey) https://imaginenj.wpengine.com/.../taking-to-my-children.../
• GUIDE: Helping Children Cope With Grief (Child Mind Institute) https://childmind.org/.../helping-children-cope-with-grief/