From the time he was young, Kyle spent much of his time encouraging others, making them laugh, and supporting them in times of need. Kyle was warm-hearted and loyal. He was never one to get involved with gossip, but instead he would provide a listening ear and words of wisdom. A West Springfield native, Kyle attended West Springfield public schools, and he was a gifted athlete who played soccer, lacrosse, and his true athletic passion, wrestling.
When he wasn’t on the field, or on the mats, Kyle could be found skiing, hanging out with friends and family, or working in one of the family businesses. Kyle was an incredible son and big brother who was caring and hardworking. He was also lucky enough to be part of a very close knit group of friends who will forever be his brothers.
Although way too short, Kyle’s life was full. He loved taking trips to Cape Cod and Vermont. He also loved his car. If he wasn’t driving it, he was most likely cleaning it. Those who knew Kyle would tell you that he lived life with no fear and was always the first one to take on an adventure. Tragically, on a rainy, foggy night in November 2019, he was in a car accident that took his life. If Kyle were here today, he would say that he was just out clearing his head, being young, and driving too fast. We know he would want to send a message to all his friends to slow down, respect the road, and don’t think you are invincible.
Since his tragic death, the family has been told countless stories about how Kyle touched their lives. Parents and classmates alike shared that he would go out of his way to help the underdog or befriend kids who might be having a hard time fitting in. He was always ready with a kind word or an offer to help. Kyle never told us these things, but they’ve become his legacy. That’s who he was.
The Kyle Thibodeau Scholarship fund exists to help college-bound kids get a head-start financially. However, the true reason is to honor Kyle’s character by continuing to help other student athletes in our community. Kyle was hoping to attend Western New England University in the fall to attain a business degree so he could own his own business. While he will never be able to take this journey, we hope the students selected for this award can take a small piece of Kyle with them.
Todd, Sue & Jake Thibodeau