FALMOUTH, Mass. — Monday night, friends and family of James Lavin gathered to say goodbye to a Falmouth High School athlete who was killed in a crash last week.
James Lavin is described as one of a kind, his smile and infectious personality said it all. Despite the cold weather, Family and friends waited for hours to say goodbye to the 17-year-old star athlete.
With heavy hearts, hundreds of people gathered outside the Falmouth funeral home to say goodbye to Lavin. He was one of two star athletes from Falmouth High School, who died in a crash on Thursday.
“Honestly, I didn't believe it at first, at all. I was in shock,” a friend, Alyssia Welch said.
Friends are still in disbelief. Lavin and his best friend Owen Higgins just had left hockey practice, when the car Lavin was driving, hit a tree, killing both of them.
Lavin died at the scene, while Owens was taken to Rhode Island hospital where he died the next day. The cause of the crash has not yet been released.
“Some kids from our school are from Falmouth,” Sandwich resident Gil Bach told FOX25. “It went through our school pretty quick.”
Buses dropped off fellow heartbroken hockey players, from surrounding areas -- many of them were complete strangers. Others showed up in their team uniforms to honor their friend.
“Everyone knew these boys as the most kindest, loving people ever,” Welch said. “They were really funny.”
The teens were also football stars, leading Falmouth High School to a state title earlier this year. Lavin even spoke to FOX25 News after the victory.
Lavin played offensive guard and defense end, while Higgins played defensive tackle and tight end.
Lavin will be laid to rest Tuesday. Visiting hours for Higgins will be on Thursday from 4-8 p.m., at Chapman Cole & Gleason funeral home.
PREVIOUS:
Cox Media Group
