A terminally ill boy who received a surprise parade earlier this week in Jersey City passed away Saturday, Jersey City police told NBC New York.
Parsh Patel spent his final days surrounded by family, friends and members of the community, thanks to the Marty Lyons Foundation. The organization fulfills the wishes of terminally ill children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old.
The 9-year-old was an inspiration to many of his peers.
"He showed us you can do whatever you want, and not to give up on your dreams," said student Armanys Cabrera.
As the guest of honor, Parsh wore a custom-made replica uniform he received from the Jersey City police department at his parade Wednesday afternoon. EMTs dressed in colorful superhero costumes and masks. Spectators along the sidewalk watched men in plaid kilts and navy berets march through the streets playing bagpipes in his honor.
Members of the Fire Department took Parsh for a ride aboard the Marine One boat, where he cruised along the water enjoying the sunshine from behind his mirrored aviator sunglasses.
The day culminated in a pizza party at his school, Alfred E. Zampella School-P.S. 27, where the mayor presented him with a key to the city.
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Although the fourth-grader was in home hospice care, he insisted on attending school for an hour each day — it was his favorite place to be. Hileri Patel said her brother's selflessness gave him the strength to go to school every day.
"He always wanted to help people, he loved helping," she said. "He knew how he was struggling, he didn't want to see others struggling."
Parsh's celebration showed the community and beyond that amid all the turmoil in the world, there is still good to be found.
"Just to put a smile on his face means a lot, that people still care in this world," said Ray Merced, a Newark resident who attended the celebration. "Just goes to show that people have a heart."
