Brendan M. Horton Obituary (1994 - 2016)

SCARBOROUGH Brendan Michael Horton, 21, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 after a courageous six year battle against Synovial Sarcoma under the loving care of the staff at the Gosnell Hospice Center. Brendan was born in Portland, ME on July 31, 1994 and was a 2012 graduate of South Portland High School. Brendan was an outstanding athlete having played hockey and baseball since he was a toddler. Since his diagnosis at age 15, Brendan persevered and did not let cancer stop him from living life and doing what he loved best playing sports. He was a three season athlete for the Red Riots playing football, hockey and baseball during his high school years. After high school, Brendan attended St. Josephs College and Southern Maine Community College where he continued his baseball career. His life focused around his passion for sports, being with friends and family, building a future with his longtime girlfriend Jessica, and living life to the fullest. From crushing home runs at Wilkinson Park to scoring a key goal in the hockey game against Falmouth to throwing a runner out at home plate from centerfield, Brendan made a difference on and off the field/ice. In August 2013, Brendan was a guest on the Jimmy Fund Telethon with Dennis Callahan. He was able to share his experience, show his strength and spread hope for all those fighting cancer. For the past six years, Brendan would fundraise to fight cancer and walk as a survivor at the ACS Relay for Life in So Portland spreading hope and inspiration to all who attended. In November 2015, Brendan enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather with his grandparents and girlfriend. He was given the trip of a lifetime from the Sisters Wish in December 2015. He and Jessica spent an amazing 5 days in NYC where they enjoyed sightseeing, a Broadway show, fine dining, and precious time together. Even after being admitted to Gosnell Hospice Center, Brendan talked and watched sports, and kept up on how all the So Portland Red Riots teams were doing. He enjoyed time with his friends and family and kept them entertained with his sense of humor right to the end. Words cannot express the gratitude for all the love, support and prayers Brendan, Jessica and his family have received from his medical staff, especially oncologist Dr. Larson and Social Worker Liz Murray, coaches, assistant principal, So Portland boosters, friends, and the entire So Portland Community since his initial diagnosis in 2009. From Dr. Larson and Liz encouraging him with treatment opportunities year after year, to Coach Owens providing him with support and opportunity to keep playing baseball, to Assistant Principal Mr. Moore being there for him each and every day during high school and beyond, Brendan was truly blessed and grateful to have these role models, as well as many others, in his life. To all of Brendans friends and their families, he loved you all so much and considered you all family. His face would perk right up each time one of you came to visit him at Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital and the Gosnell Hospice Center. Brendans wish all along has been that a cure for Synovial Sarcoma is found. His fight for a cure continues with his passing. He has donated his cancer tissue to the Maine Medical Center BioBank for research to help find a cure for others battling Synovial Sarcoma. Brendan is survived by his loving family: parents, Michael Horton of Yarmouth, ME and Rebecca Avery of Loudon, NH; longtime girlfriend Jessica Keenan and her parents Frank Lori Keenan of So Portland; grandparents Frank Judy Spencer of Punta Gorda, FL, Michael Evelyn Horton of So Portland; John Francina Campbell of Waynesboro, PA; brothers Zach Caden Horton, and Ethan Avery; sisters Sarah and Sarenna Avery; aunts Michelle Horton-Livingston husband Todd of So Portland, Andrea Tibbetts husband Todd of Steep Falls, uncle Brian Campbell of Waynesboro, PA; and cousins Benjamin Lily Tibbetts, Alex Meghan Livingston, Alexander Horton, and Aiden Campbell. Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday from 1-4PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Brendans Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 1PM at the Funeral Home followed by burial at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. To view Brendans memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to: Maine Childrens Cancer Program (MCCP),c/o Maine Medical Center Development Office,22 Bramhall Street,Portland, ME 04101 Or Brendan Horton Memorial Scholarship,c/o Lori Keenan,44 Appletree Drive,South Portland, ME 04106