On Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:14 p.m. the world lost an angel named Peter Mirabile. He was 18 years young.

At 7 years old, Peter was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. For 12 years, he fought gallantly for his life. But rather than be defeated by his illness, Peter developed a zest for living unparalleled by any other. He had the rare ability to make every moment count, cherishing each one, while adding his own spontaneous funny style, as only Peter could do.

In July of this year, it became necessary for Peter to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Peter hung on valiantly for 64 days, then passed peacefully away due to complications from the transplant.

It has been a long, tedious journey for Peter. Because of his illness, he was restricted from doing many of the things that young boys growing up long to do. Yet, this never hampered Peter's inner drive to succeed.

Despite the fact that Peter was unable to attend school on a full-time basis in his high school years, he pushed forward relentlessly with home tutoring and graduated with his class from Garden City High School in June of this year. This was a goal he was determined to achieve. His strong, beautiful will also led him to pursue a selfless life of service. At 16 years old, he volunteered to become a junior firefighter for the Garden City Fire Department. Finding a purpose in this, he simultaneously became an Explorer for the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Peter's sense of duty, integrity, honor and courage far exceeded the physical confines this illness placed on his young shoulders. Just prior to his transplant, he became a New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and he aspired to become a paramedic.

His quick, comical wit and easy smile captivated anyone lucky enough to have known Peter. For those of us who were blessed to be counted among his friends, there is a sense of inspirational awe at the mere utterance of his name. Our lives were made rich by Peter having touched them. We will miss him deeply. Godspeed, dear Peter, we will always love and remember you! For you have left an imprint on our hearts that no amount of time or distance can erase. You are our forever hero; our hero named Peter!

Peter's spirit lives on through his devoted and beloved mother, Kathy, and father, Matthew, his adored sister, Andrea, his cherished grandparents, Clarita and Peter Piastra, his loving and dedicated godmother, Aunt Pat; his admiring aunts, uncles and cousins and his many wonderful lifelong friends.

Services were held at Fairchild and Sons Funeral Home Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26. Family and friends helped celebrate Peter's journey home during a Mass at St. Joseph's Church on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Peter would not want us to be discouraged by his passing and would urge us to continue the fight against Aplastic Anemia by giving the gift of life and being a bone marrow donor. You can do this by contacting the National Marrow Donor Program. The nearest center to Garden City is the New York Blood Center, 81 Willoughby Street, Fifth Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718-797-7850 or www.nybloodcenter.org).

Peter's family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund bearing Peter's name. Checks may be made payable to Garden City Schools, Peter Mirabile Scholarship Fund and sent c/o Garden City Public Schools, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 Attn: Business Office.