Mike Marra

            Well, Reid.  What can I say, man?  I’ll always treasure my memory of an outstanding person and a dear friend.  I was more than privileged to have known you and to have shared our friendship.

            The past two years were so tough for you, but you continued to be an inspiration to everyone who knew your story.

            When I met you in the seventh grade, I had just moved to Lynnfield; I felt the usual apprehension that comes with going to a new school, but I knew that once I met a good friend, everything would be OK.

And there you were Reid, you welcomed me into a new place and introduced me to new people.  From then on, I knew we would become life long friends; over the years growing up together, we developed a brotherhood taking on the world together…from the computers to the cars to the girls, we did it all.  I can’t thank you enough for the memories; I will carry them with me and cherish them forever.

            Throughout your life you have touched many people:        The children you taught to sail in Kennbunkport;  your family and friends; even people who didn’t directly know you, but were inspired by you and your will to fight cancer.

Everyone constantly wanted to be around you and share your presence simply because you brought nothing but joy into everyone’s life.  I can remember every day in school at lunch, kids would fight over where you sat.  “Reid, sit here!”  “No, sit here!”  Everyone wanted you  at their table.  And you would sit with different people every day, sharing your time…because that’s the type of person you were.

Reid takes lots of wonderful memories with him to heaven, especially those of the people most important to him.

Weston, you are a true brother.  I admire your amazing courage through all this.  You showed the strength to hold this family together.  You carried them on your back through this entire battle, with your will to keep going for Reid.

Mr. and Mrs. Sacco, you are exceptional parents.  Reid looked up to you very much, and each of you were a special role model for him.  Mr. Sacco with music….piano, violin, and guitar.  Mrs. Sacco with all of the pictures to display your absolute joy of life.

If it weren’t for the two of you and your continued perseverance and strength to disagree with the doctors when they wanted to give up, we all would have said goodbye to Reid long ago.  But: there would have been no trip to Disney last May; there would have been no picture with Johnny Damon at Fenway Park; and there would have been fewer nights just hanging out and being best friends.

Bethany.  Words can never explain just how much Reid loved you.  Your simple presence made him feel like he was on top of the world. Whenever the two of you were together, the true love  you had for each other glistened in your eyes and smiles.  Every person can only dream and hope for a relationship filled with as much love as the two of you have for each other.

            And Reid.  Every person can only hope and dream to have a friendship like ours.  Watching movies, racing our radio-controlled cars, just enjoying the good times.  Even after the disease took your leg,  on your first day home you bounded down the stairs and climbed into my truck with ease, and we went on our way like life was just fine.  The obstacles you faced never slowed you down.  I guess that’s why you are such an inspiration to me.

            It’s impossible to be here today and not be filled with sadness.  And that’s OK.  This is a sad time.  We are sad and angry because life seems unfair.  We’ve had a precious friend taken from us.

            But life can be unfair.  So we must look deeper to find life’s comforts.  That’s how Reid lived his life, especially the last two years.

            Today we are here to mourn.  But at the same time we must remember to celebrate the life of Reid Sacco.  We can do that be keeping in mind the countless good times and memories we shared with him.

            Reid, I thank you for the memories I hold in my heart.  I miss you and I love you and I know you will always be with all of us.