By Rachel Prusso
Javier Avelar was remembered by friends and family on Tuesday as a courageous battler and a generous friend, who valued those around him.
“Most people think, what can I get from this world? Javi thought about what he could give,” said his former soccer coach, Brian Kiernan.
Kiernan was among a large crowd that gathered with candles outside Morristown High School on a chilly night to celebrate the life of the 21-year-old graduate (Class of ’13), who died Sunday at Morristown Medical Center after an 18-month battle with colon cancer.
Avelar was the kind of kid who joined the soccer team only when he was sure it would accept his cousin, too.
“He knew it was all about people. You can have everything in the world but it means nothing without the people you care about,” said Kiernan.
Former classmate Devon DeGilio, who is pursuing a graduate degree at Penn State, teared up as she showed friends Avelar’s signature in her high school yearbook.
“With all the people who come and go in life, I can say I’ve never forgotten him,” said DeGilio, one of the event’s organizers. She said nearly 300 candles were handed out.
Avelar was described as a free spirit, with a good sense of humor and a knack for making someone feel like the most important person in the world.
When he roamed the hallways at MHS, he always had a friend in tow. He liked nothing better than skipping gym to enjoy pizza with a pal.
The cancer diagnosis came while Avelar was a student at the County College of Morris. Ryan Brunnock recounted one visit when he tried to find somewhere to sit down. Avelar offered his place on the couch.
“Here I am, perfectly healthy and he’s worried if I’m okay,” Brunnock said. “He fought till the very end. In my mind, he beat it, he kicked cancer’s —. Through it all, he was still the fun and kind Javier we all loved.”
As the speeches came to a close, Caitlin Castillo encouraged everyone to donate to a GoFundMe campaign, launched online last month to help with Avelar’s medical expenses.
So far, more than $19,000 has been raised.
A wake for Javier Avelar is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4 pm to 8pm at the Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10 am in St. Margaret’s Church, 6 Sussex Ave., Morristown. Burial will be at Holy Rood Cemetery in Morris Township.
Rachel Prusso is a sophomore at Morristown High School who enjoys poetry and volunteers on Tricorn, the school’s literary magazine.