NEWTOWN, CT -- Dylan Christopher Jack Hockley was a British emigrant who "couldn't wait to move to America," according to the UK's Telegraph newspaper. His life was taken Dec. 14, during the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. According to the Connecticut Post, he died in teacher Anne Marie Murphy's arms.
On Friday, his parents, Ian and Nicole Hockley, took in family, friends and the community to celebrate his life in a memorial service at Bethel's Walnut Hill Community Church. About 600 mourners attended, according to church communication director Lisa Siedlecki.
After the service, Dylan's brother Jake stood between his parents and released 25 purple and white balloons for victims of the shooting — and then one final one for Dylan. As mourners watched, the New York / New Jersey Port Authority Pipe Band performed "Amazing Grace."
Love, Cindy