Vigil held for Somerset teen soccer player who died of cancer

SOMERSET, Mass. (WLNE) — It’s been a heartbreaking month for a Somerset family dealing with the unthinkable.

“Zachary was a warrior, loved soccer and his friends and family,” Ashley Deane said. “We’re all here to honor him.”

17-year-old Zachary Deane passed away on August 10 after a battle with cancer.

He was set to enter his senior year at Somerset-Berkley Regional High School and was a beloved member of the soccer team.

“I think we’ve used the word warrior a lot to describe Zach,” Somerset-Berkley soccer coach David Gleason said. “He was great teammate, a great classmate, and he loved being at this field.”

Family and friends gathered Wednesday in support of Zach, raising funds in his honor.

“The love and support is amazing,” Ashley Deane, Zach’s mother, said. “From the school and town.”

“The whole town, school, business community,” family member Nancy Remy said. “Everybody’s done so much in support of a fight that no one should fight alone.”

Classmates lamented the loss of a player described as the ultimate teammate.

“Zachary always gave 100%,” Gleason said. “He was a goalkeeper, he loved working with the other goalkeepers. We’re gonna try to honor him every time we walk on this field this season.”

The community has rallied around the Deane family, set to hold a blood drive in Fall River on Thursday, along with an event at Shaw’s Boat Yard in Dighton to follow.

“He was strong, he was kind, humble, just a great kid,” Remy said. “The town has been amazing, and it’s so appreciated. The family is blessed.”