LILBURN--When students at St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School speak of Parker Kane, they often first mention the mischievous grin that was a calling card for the nine-year-old. The smile preceded Parker and was a beacon that drew others, young and old, into his special sphere. Parker’s smile gave the school community courage when they learned that Parker was diagnosed with an adult form of liver cancer in April 1997, near the end of second grade.

Throughout his 16-month battle with cancer, which ended Aug. 15, 1998, Parker showed remarkable courage and faith in the Lord. Whenever he was able to visit the school, his smile shone brightly. His brother, Austin, and sister, Courtney, are also students at SJNRCS.

An energetic child, Parker said proudly that gym was his favorite subject. He loved sports, especially basketball. His brother Austin’s eighth-grade classmates have asked that all the eighth-grade basketball teams at the school dedicate their season to Parker.

The number 9 now adorns each eighth-grader’s basketball uniform. A sign composed by the class hangs in the gym where games are played.

The sign reads: “We the 8th grade class at SJN are dedicating our 1998-99 basketball season to Parker Kane, a fourth-grade student from our school who died of cancer earlier this year. The number 9 was Parker’s favorite number. It is worn in remembrance of him. His spirit will always remain in our hearts.”

Members of the eighth-grade Crusaders team are shown below.