NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — Friends of an admired North Tonawanda High senior, who died earlier this week in a car crash, are sharing fond memories of him, remembering him as a person who lived life to the fullest.
This has been an extremely difficult week for students at North Tonawanda High, who deeply miss their friend, Michael Marra.
Marra was set to graduate in June. His friends say he had plans of going to college to study business, and they remember him for his adventurous spirit and caring about others.
Friends of Marra have been gathering in the home he grew up in this week, reflecting on the great times they had with him.
It’s a place they would often come to anyway, to be together.
“He was really playful and childish, no matter what year or grade it was,” said Brad Williams, a North Tonawanda High senior.
Added Connor DeVantier, a North Tonawanda High graduate: “He was always the kid that would climb any tree that he saw, and I’m telling you, no matter the tree, he would climb it. Every time I would come over here, first words out of his mouth, or sometimes, were, 'So how was your day, Connor?' He always thought about us.”
On Tuesday night, Michael was the victim in a fatal car crash.
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office says the car Michael was operating began to swerve on Niagara Falls Boulevard near Ward Road in Wheatfield.
He left the road, hitting a telephone pole and a tree, and was taken to Niagara Falls Memorial, where he was pronounced dead.
His family says Michael was on his way to see a friend.
“It was ridiculously too soon that kid had so much to do for so many people, and he was so excited to live life to the fullest,” Williams said.
And if they had to give him a senior superlative?
“Class clown, best smile, most likely to pick you up when you’re down,” Williams said.
And now it’s their turn to pick each other up and comfort Michael’s family.
Grief counselors have been made available this week at North Tonawanda High.
There are efforts underway to create a scholarship in his name and possibly retire his lacrosse jersey.