In the difficult few weeks since the passing of their son, Zack, at the tender age of 18, Tania and Wayne Downey have been floored by the outpouring of support from people around their various communities.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 really realize the impact Zack and our journey had on people until he passed away,B次元官网网址� Tania said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just blown away, to be quite honest.B次元官网网址�
Langford resident Zack died May 25 after a long battle with non-HodgkinB次元官网网址檚 lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday (June 19) at The Q Centre from 1 to 4 p.m. The site was an easy choice, not only for the expectation of 1,000 or more mourners, but because West Shore Parks and Recreation was the hub of ZackB次元官网网址檚 sports life growing up, Tania said.
B次元官网网址淗e played basketball and lacrosse there, rode his bike on the BMX track, played on the soccer field, played ice hockey in the rink.B次元官网网址�
While he remained a huge basketball fan to the end, baseball was his passion. He was a member of the Victoria Mariners midget team and attended the baseball academy at Lambrick Park secondary. By the time he was diagnosed in Grade 11, in November 2012, he had already begun eyeing potential colleges to apply for baseball scholarships.
The news, and the resulting treatment B次元官网网址� it lasted 16 months B次元官网网址� set him back somewhat, Tania said, but his determination really kept him going.
His simple goal, after being told in March that his cancer was incurable, was to make it to his high school graduation ceremony. He missed it by about a week.
B次元官网网址淩ight up to the last, he was optimistic that heB次元官网网址檇 get there,B次元官网网址� his mom said. While Zack was weakened from treatments, she said, B次元官网网址渁ll he wanted was to go to school, be with his friends and sit in a class, those simple things that people take for granted. He wanted that so bad during treatment.B次元官网网址�
The Downeys, who have a 14-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, have received an overwhelming amount of well-wishes and condolences around the school, baseball and general communities. But that hasnB次元官网网址檛 told them anything they didnB次元官网网址檛 already know about their son.
B次元官网网址淲e always knew how great a kid Zack was,B次元官网网址� Tania said. B次元官网网址淗e went through this amazing battle very stoically. We are so proud of him as a family and we do hope that heB次元官网网址檚 made a little bit of a difference in everybodyB次元官网网址檚 life he touched. HeB次元官网网址檚 a pretty amazing kid and will be missed greatly.B次元官网网址�
While their grief is still very much at the surface, she said, the Downeys hope that at some point theyB次元官网网址檙e able to help other families going through similar situations.
B次元官网网址淥ur community was there for us and weB次元官网网址檙e so grateful for that.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Send us your Zack stories
Popular 18-year-old Langford resident Zack Downey was a talented baseball player who relished the opportunity to play any sport. He was also a great guy and a good friend, say those who knew him best.
WeB次元官网网址檇 love for you to share some special thoughts on how Zack affected your life.
Please email your messages to editor@goldstreamgazette.com, post them at Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette on Facebook or drop them at our office at 106-2800 Bryn Maur Rd. We will pass them on to the Downey family.
Thanks,
Don Descoteau, Acting Editor
