NORRIDGE — On the day they had hoped to celebrate his 6th birthday, Lucas "Bear" Cervone's family instead honored his memory by releasing balloons and blowing bubbles at the cemetery where he has been buried.
Cervone was 5 years old when he died on May 1. The Belmont Cragin boy had battled various forms of cancer since he was a toddler. In his last days, thousands of people from across the country rallied around Lucas and his family, sending the Cervones birthday cards, gifts and packages.
Erica Seltzer, who has known the Cervones since Lucas was born, was among the friends and family who brought a bundle of orange balloons to the cemetery for Lucas' funeral on Saturday. Lucas' parents, Anthony and Rina Cervone, has requested people bring balloons and bubbles, two things Lucas had loved.
“We just really feel their pain because we watched Lucas go through all the treatments and everything, and he was just such a brave guy,” Seltzer said, choking back tears. “That’s why we’re here today, to honor Lucas.
“And today would have been his 6th birthday. And we were just really hoping ... that he would make it.”
Seltzer was accompanied by two women and a child in a bright orange shirt. That had been Lucas' favorite color.
The child blew bubbles, laughing and singing, before letting go of a bundle of balloons all at once. Seltzer and the two women watched them drift off before letting their own balloons go, one by one.
“He is a very special boy,” Seltzer said of Lucas. “The family, their strength has just been unbelievable. It’s just been amazing. Everything that they’ve done for Lucas ... .”
Minutes later, Lucas' family and friends came outside, many crying and carrying bubble wands and balloons. Some wore orange or had shirts with a photo of Lucas and the words, "In loving memory ... ."
Anthony and Rina, Lucas' parents, held each other as they wept. Around them, children blew bubbles.
Someone passed Rina a cluster of balloons. Rina lifted them over her head.
“Te amo, Lucas!” she called, letting go: I love you.
Around her, others joined in, letting their balloons go. "Te amo, Lucas!" they called. "Te amo!"
Related stories:
• Lucas 'Bear' Cervone's Family Has Received Thousands Of Cards
• Lucas 'Bear' Cervone, 5, Dies After Battling Cancer: 'He Is An Inspiration'
• Hundreds Of Cards Sent To Lucas 'Bear,' 5-Year-Old With Incurable Cancer
• Family Of Boy With Incurable Cancer Trying To Gather 500 Birthday Cards
• Robot Could Help Boy, 5, Battling Leukemia 'Go' to School After Transplant
• 'Lucas Bear,' 5-Year-Old With Cancer, To Get Needed Transplant From Germany
• Family of 'Lucas Bear,' 5, Asks Latinos to Donate Bone Marrow
• Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Needed for 5-Year-Old Battling Leukemia
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