The hockey community has once again come together under the most tragic circumstances, this time to mourn the passing of 17-year-old player and Natick High School senior Justin Bailey. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on Jan. 4 but thanks to his winning personality, strong work ethic and popularity among teammates, classmates, family and friends his spirit will live on.

Karl Infanger, Baliey’s Natick High hockey coach (and a member of the NEH coaching staff) said that the many tributes, and the emotional moment of silence observed in Bailey’s memory during Natick’s first game following his death, are just a few of the ways the team and the community have honored Bailey.

Other tributes include the helmet stickers players on the Natick High boys and girls hockey teams are wearing -- stickers that depict a hockey puck with the number 17 and Bailey’s name. Even competitors are showing their support. Players on opposing teams in Natick’s conference are sporting a white sticker on their helmets featuring Bailey’s number.

Though the outpouring of support has been heartening, Infanger said he and others wanted to take things even further by fundraising to help the family deal with unforeseen expenses stemming from Bailey’s death.

“We set up a memorial fund in Justin’s name that will directly support the Bailey's,” he said. “We can't take away their pain, but thought we could offer this small gesture in an effort to help them in a way that we can.”

If you would like to contribute, mail your donation directly to the Middlesex Savings Bank, 150 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 01778. Donations should be made payable to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund.

You can learn more about Justin at www.NatickHighHockey.com (click on Bailey).