STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It has been 12 years since James Michael Creamer Jr. died when he was just a sophomore in high school. But his legacy is living on through a new scholarship created by two of his best friends.
Anthony Gallo and Noah Seni Villeroel became close friends with James when they were in middle school. While Creamer continued his education at St. Peter’s Boys High School in New Brighton, the trio stayed friends until James’ unexpected death on April 27, 2014. The popular athlete, who played both varsity football and baseball for the St. Peter’s Eagles, was just 15 years old.
‘Taught me so much’
“James was very close to me, and I just felt that his death had impacted my life in such a meaningful way. It was such a bad thing to happen at the time, but it taught me so much about life and showed me how blessed I am to be able to be where I am at in life and to be able to wake up every day,” said Gallo.
Gallo and Villeroel, who still live on Staten Island, decided they wanted to create a new scholarship for one freshman at St. Peter’s High School in honor of their friend, called the James Creamer Memorial Scholarship.
“In 2024, we came together collectively as friends and we wanted to do something meaningful to keep his name alive and to share positivity and the warmth that he gave everybody when they were in his presence,” said Villeroel.
In this Oct. 17, 2015, photo, St. Peter’s head coach Mark DeCristofolo with his captains at the grotto as they hold the #77 jersey of James Creamer Jr., who died unexpectedly at the age of 15.(Advance/SILive.com | Hilton Flores)
With the help of the high school, and friends and family of James, as well as St. Peter’s High School Principal Michael Cosentino, students applying for the scholarship were asked to write an essay on dealing with a hardship in life and how they overcame it — embodying the spirit of James, who lost his mother just two years before he died.
A $2,000 annual award
One freshman, Vincent Raccuglia, was given the first-ever James Creamer Memorial Scholarship award of $2,000 in December.
Gallo and Villeroel have pledged $1,000 each in funding for the scholarship award for Raccuglia for his next three years of high school at St. Peter’s.
“It’s beautiful that we could let our friend’s legacy carry on and give back now to the point where it’s impacting someone else’s life,” said Gallo. “The fact that we could continue James’ legacy and put someone else through school … it just means the absolute world to us.”
They said they hope to continue to raise funds for the scholarship award, such as holding raffles at local events or creating T-shirts in James’ honor.
Gallo and Villeroel also created an Instagram page, @jamescreamermemorial, to help raise awareness and funding.
Those who wish to donate or support in raising funding, including local organizations and businesses, can reach out at jamescreamermemorial@gmail.com, or Gallo’s email at Gallo61898@gmail.com, or Villeroel’s email at nvilleroel@gmail.com.