This week, the Laurel community continues to mourn the loss of Jamin Pugh, best known as professional wrestler Jay Briscoe, with a candlelight vigil and funeral service.
Pugh, 38, died in a two-vehicle collision Jan. 17 on Laurel Road. His two daughters, ages 12 and 9, were riding with him and are recovering from injuries in the hospital. The driver of the other vehicle, Lillyanne Ternahan, 27, of Frankford, also died.
The vigil for Pugh will be Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. at Lee Elliott Worship Center, 17237 Phillips Hill Road, Laurel.
The funeral will be Sunday, Jan. 29, at Laurel High School gym, 1133 S. Central Ave., Laurel, with visitation from noon-1 p.m. and the service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Tim Dukes will officiate. The interment will be private. Arrangements are by Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.
Update on Pugh’s daughters in the hospital
Monday night, family friend Josh Wharton gave a video update on his Facebook page about the daughters’ recovery, accompanied by K.C. Conaway. Wharton and Conaway helped start the Good Ole Boys Foundation, a nonprofit in Sussex County that has been helping families “who have come against unforeseen circumstances,” with the focus on the needs of the children.
The Pughs asked them to share the news “to take some burden off of them,” Wharton said.
He read a message from Pugh’s wife, Ashley, who said daughters Gracie and Jayleigh were able to spend some time together on Monday.
“We have made a lot of progress over the last two days but there is still a lot to be made,” Ashley wrote.
Gracie, 12, is making “huge improvements.” At first, she had no feeling below her waist. She has now regained feeling but hasn’t been able to move below her knees. She is working with therapists who say her strength is improving while the pain has decreased. She’s been able to play games and watch movies.
Jayleigh, 9, had the tube removed from her throat and was able to eat as much as she pleased.
“She is so much happier,” Ashley wrote.
Jayleigh is working with therapists and did her first stand, pivot and transfer into her wheelchair.
“We continue to ask for prayers as the girls are slowly improving,” Ashley wrote, saying she sees the messages of support people have been sending on Facebook and they help carry her through.
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She also asked for prayers for their son, Gannon, as he awaits his sisters’ recovery.
Wharton said he had spoken with Jamin’s parents, Mike and Jana Pugh. Jana is a member of the Laurel School District Board of Education.
Wharton said they remain “upbeat” and continue to ask for prayers for their children, grandchildren and the family of the other driver involved in the collision.
In talking with Jana, Wharton said, “We agreed that Jamin didn’t die; he just got to heaven.”
Champion in the ring and in the community
Pugh wrestled with his younger brother, Mark, as the Briscoe Brothers, 13-time tag team champions with Ring of Honor wrestling.
In the Laurel area, Pugh was known as a family man, coach and supporter of schools and youth programs.
While the wrestler who fans saw in the ring was “phenomenal,” Wharton said, “the guy that we knew and we saw around town was so much more. He was a Godly man, loved the Lord, loved serving the Lord.”
Wharton said Pugh loved his family and loved his community, and children held a special place in his heart.
“Every time you saw a kid meet him, he always took time for the child and made them feel important,” Wharton said, and referred to the videos that have been circulating on social media of Pugh accompanying his daughter in a cheerleading routine with matching ribbons in their hair.
Laurel High School athletic director Kevin Walmsley said, Pugh “was heavily involved” in the district. “It’s a huge tragedy for the community.”
Pugh was a first-team All-Henlopen Conference Southern Division fullback and linebacker and honorable mention All-State linebacker before graduating from Laurel in 2002 on teams coached by his father, Mike.
More recently, he was an assistant coach on the Laurel Middle School football team, on which his son, Gannon, played, and also coached youth basketball in the town.
Pugh regularly visited with and inspired Laurel students, Walmsley said.
Pugh and his brother gave a video announcement as the Briscoe Brothers to encourage students at Laurel Elementary on their state tests, promising to dump “slime,” as featured on the Nickelodeon kids TV network, on Principal Matthew Brady. After a strong performance by the students on the tests, the Briscoe Brothers visited the school and slimed Brady as students cheered.
In memory of Pugh, the school district canceled classes on Jan. 18.
Fundraisers, tribute for the family
A “GiveSendGo” fundraiser has been set up to benefit Ashley Pugh and the children.
As of Jan. 24 at 1 p.m., $300,916 has been raised so far.
Sportz Tees Screen Printing, 1003 S. Central Ave., Laurel, is printing T-shirts in memory of Pugh that will be available this week to benefit the family.
Stickers and other shirts to benefit the family are available at A & K Enterprises, 301 N. Central Ave., Laurel.
On Wednesday night, which would be Pugh’s 39th birthday, his life will be celebrated when his brother Mark wrestles Jay Lethal, a longtime friend of the brothers on AEW Dynamite on TBS at 8 p.m.
The Briscoes and Jay Lethal were all standout stars in Ring of Honor, which is now owned by AEW owner Tony Khan. Lethal first wrestled the Briscoes in 2003 in ROH.
Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. Reporters Hannah Edelman and Kevin Tresolini contributed to this story.
