Abington community continues to try to heal as they remember beloved family

ABINGTON, Mass. — The Abington community continues to try to heal in the wake of a murder-suicide that left a family of five dead. On Monday, the community held a celebration of life in honor of the victims.

It was an emotional celebration and especially hard for so many young children to understand what happened here. But they tell Boston 25 News that they’ll never forget the family.

Coming together in song and prayer, more than 100 people gathered to honor the Zaccardi family in Abington Monday. The family of five was found dead in their home one week ago. Police say the father shot his three children and wife before turning the gun on himself.

"There are beautiful people who have been lost, we want to remember them for the impact they've had on this town and this community," said Alyson Sullivan, a state representative.

Dozens wrote notes of memories they had with the Zaccardis to give to their remaining family members. Many of the children's classmates drew pictures to express their own grief after losing their friends.

"It's been very traumatic for them," said Karen, a grief counselor. "So, we just wanted them to be able to express their feelings for themselves and for the family."

Alexis Zaccardi was 11-years-old, and her twin siblings Nathan and Kathryn were 9-years-old. Several of Nate’s friends shared their own thoughts and memories at this celebration of life.

"His favorite Pokémon was the sparrow, in the Pokémon-Go I caught his sparrow, and I made him my buddy," said Ricky Collins, a classmate.

"At recess, the last thing I heard him say to me was my name, last thing," said Aiden Coe, another classmate of Nate's. "So sad to see him go."

Holding on to those memories with broken hearts, the community and its children will never forget the Zaccardis.

"If he's in heaven, he will still be in our hearts wherever we go," one classmate said.

A lot of people also wore green – the school colors for the town of Abington – to show solidarity as a town for the family.

Cox Media Group