Catasauqua continues to reel over the recent loss of two young men from the community.

Dante Kaintz, a 2019 Catasauqua High School graduate, died when his car struck a tree in Lower Macungie Township Dec. 25, 2022, and Elijah Soler, a 2022 CHS graduate, died Jan. 2 when the car he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer on American Parkway, Allentown.

According to Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio, both incidents were ruled accidents.

In true Catasauqua manner, the community has stepped up to help both families in their time of grief. GoFundMe accounts have been set up for both young men to help their families with funeral arrangements.

“We want to give Dante the memorial he deserves and to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes,” said Amy Huber, who organized the fundraising effort for Kaintz.

As of press time, the Kaintz GoFundMe reached $14,255 out of the $13,500 goal. The fundraising page can be found at gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-dante-kaintz.

Kaintz, 21, was born and raised in Catasauqua. He was a Kutztown University student, majoring in game development in the computer science and information technology department.

While at CHS, Kaintz was a multiple-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and track.

“He was a great kid and had a great smile,” Thomas Moll, director of student activities, said. “He was always smiling, always in a great mood. He had a personality that could light up a room.”

“He was unselfish, helped everyone and made everyone’s day better and brighter. He had a magnetic personality and was loved by all,” head track coach Kyle Rusnock said.

According to his obituary, Kaintz was an assembler at Mack Trucks in Macungie.

His funeral service was held Jan. 5. He leaves behind his parents, a brother, three sisters and a grandfather.

“Dante spent his life making those around him feel so loved, so special and always put a smile on everyone’s face,” Huber said on the GoFundMe page. “He was a kid who wore his heart on his sleeve and put others before himself. He was such a character, and this loss is affecting everyone in the communities that he was part of.”

Grove Street Pub and Grill held a fundraiser event for the Kaintz family Dec. 28, 2022.

“Dante was an avid customer, an amazing friend and felt quite like family to most,” Grove Street’s announcement of the fundraiser said. “He would always be met with a smile bigger than you could imagine and open arms as he would come through our doors.”

As of press time, Soler’s GoFundMe reached $17,430 out of the $15,000 goal. The page can be found at gofundme.com/f/rest-elijah-alfredo-soler.

Soler played football while as CHS, serving as the lead running back for 2021. He even scored the team’s last touchdown of the season in the annual Thanksgiving Day game.

“Well, it is hard to put into words the kind of kid Elijah was,” head football coach Travis Brett said. “If you really knew him, he had a goofy smile, a good heart and was the type of kid that could make anyone smile, even on their worst day. I feel blessed to have known him, and I think everyone that knew him does, too.”

According to his obituary, he worked as a technician at Serve Pro Restoration Company.

“I know my sweet, sweet brother will leave a mark in all our lives,” Soler’s sister Keila said on the GoFundMe page. “He had a light about him, and everyone he came in contact with loved him and fell in love with who he was.”

His funeral service was held Jan. 9.

“Two fantastic young men I had the honor of coaching,” Anthony Brinkley, a Catasauqua Area School District teacher and coach, said on Twitter. “Both embodied what it meant to be a Rough Rider. They both spread so much positivity onto any team, classroom or activity they participated in. Both will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with both families.”

“It is hard to believe we are dealing with this for the second time in 10 days,” CHS Rough Riders said on Twitter. “Today is another sad day to be a Rough Rider.”