Shawn Marcellino died doing what he loved — competing on an athletic field. He also died young, just 40 years old when he collapsed while playing catcher for Living Word of Plum in a church league softball game at a field off Elicker Road.

At the time of his death on June 1, 2021, Marcellino, a Democrat, was a candidate for Plum mayor, set to challenge Republican Harry Schlegel.

Marcellino’s best friend, Plum School Director Mike Devine, told the Tribune-Review: “He was the best guy. He would literally do anything for anyone.”

Now, Marcellino’s friends and family are planning to do something for him.

Since Marcellino’s death, they have started a nonprofit foundation to renovate and memorialize the field on which he died. It will be known as the Shawn Marcellino Memorial Field at Living Word Presbyterian Church in Plum.

In addition to fixing the field, which has fallen into disrepair, the foundation will use the money raised to help buy sports equipment and uniforms for underprivileged kids.

Marcellino’s sister, Vanessa, is president of the Shawn Marcellino Sports Foundation.

One of the ways she is raising money is by putting on a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at The Oaks theater in Oakmont. All proceeds from the tickets sold will go to the foundation, Vanessa Marcellino said. She hopes the event will raise $5,000.

“My brother had said to myself and the family that the field was in really bad shape, and he felt terrible that kids had to play on that field. And if he had the money to redo that field, he would,” Marcellino said. “He passed shortly after he spoke those words, and I felt it necessary to keep him alive by redoing that field and memorializing it for my parents and giving my parents a place to go and feel like he was still here.

“My brother loved teaching kids how to play softball, so once this field is done, I want to carry on his legacy forever.”

Performers for the benefit include Vanessa’s niece, Morgan Gruber, 18, of Fombell, Beaver County. The singer appeared on the 20th season of “American Idol” last year . Among the songs she performed were Elle King’s “Can’t Be Loved,” Demi Lovato’s “Anyone” and Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” with her partner Jay Copeland. Gruber narrowly missed making it into the top 24.

“She’s been performing and has not let go of her dream since performing on ‘American Idol,’ ” Marcellino said. “Morgan, being my niece, knew my brother very well, so the (cause) is very close to her heart. We were all very, very close, and she wanted to do something to help.”

Gruber said it means a lot to her to be performing at this benefit concert.

“I knew Shawn really well. I grew up with him,” Gruber said. “I’m really honored to be a part of such a great cause and be able to perform.”

Gruber, who has veered into country music, also reached out to a fellow “American Idol” contestant, country rock singer Christian Beck of Freedom, Beaver County.

“We’re all just excited to put on a great show. I sing country primarily, and Christian does as well,” Gruber said. “I just want to thank Aunt Vanessa for putting this event on and letting us support Shawn.”

Beck, who sings and plays guitar, leads a five-piece band. He writes a lot of his own songs and released a CD called “Wreck My Train.” Three of its songs received airplay on Froggy Radio 104.3.

Beck also opened for Toby Keith at the Jamboree in the Hills country music festival in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

“We’ll do a high-energy show (Feb. 3),” Beck said. “We are a rock band with country lyrics. These songs should mean something for us, and they should mean something for everybody. We’re honored to be there, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

Also on the bill is opening act singer-songwriter Eddie Erwin.

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