VIDEO: ‘I didn't want his death to be in vain'
Saturday, Dec. 1 would have been Shamar Patterson's birthday. Instead of celebrating turning 17 with cake and presents, family and friends gathered at Grove Place Cemetery to pay their respects.
Patterson, of Gates, was killed in a drive-by shooting on Genesee Street in Rochester last April 11. He was visiting his grandmother when he was shot in the head. He was a junior at Gates Chili High School.
Two brothers - brothers Terrance Stanley, 17, and Eric Stanley, 18 - were arrested for the shooting. They are charged with second-degree murder and face a sentence of 20 years to life if they are convicted. They, too, were students at Gates Chili High School.
Friends and family say Shamar was an energetic class clown who enjoyed track.
Now that he's gone, others live. Joan Patterson donated some of her son's organs and tissues, helping a total of five people.
Rob Kochik, executive director of the Finger Lakes Donor Registry Network, said Joan Patterson didn't want April 11, 2007 to be the day Shamar was forgotten.
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<param value="transparent" name="wmode" />width="425" height="355" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9YdfFz8SlZArel=1"></embed></object> "She wants this to be a remembrance as well as a celebration of life ...," he said. "This is an opportunity for us to get the word out that while there's the senseless loss of his life, that through the donation he was able to save many lives and impact many families." Joan Patterson gave an impassioned plea at her son's grave last Saturday to encourage others to donate. She said many people have approached her since Shamar's death and told them that they were inspired to become donors by her bravery. "That touches me so much to know that little me, and little Shamar, are really sending a big message out there," she said, "and he's getting the recognition. It's sad that this is how he had to be recognized, but I didn't want his death to be in vain." Jim Fyfe of Canandaigua knows the importance of being an organ donor. Several years ago, he was given a lung to replace one of his which had been damaged due to smoking and exposure to chemicals through his work. "It's given me a new life, an appreciation of everybody around me," he said. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my donor." As he led the crowd gathered at Shamar's grave in a prayer, Pastor Gregory Wells said, "we've defeated death in life." Although some good has come of his death, Bethany Beams, a teacher's aide at Gates Chili High School, said Shamar's loss is still felt in the school. "Shamar was such a vibrant person that even kids who didn't know him knew who he was," said Beams. Beams said Shamar was a great kid who always had a smile on his face. "He used to come in just to say 'Hi' and ask how my weekend was when he was supposed to be in class," she said. "I'd ask him where he was supposed to be and he'd say 'right here with you.'" Beams said Shamar's death has made other students think twice about being involved in risky behaviors. "I think the kids who were friends with Shamar have learned to make positive changes in their lives and to have a faith and to be genuine like Shamar was," Beams said. "I know there where kids who were involved in questionable stuff who have taken a step back because they have seen the impact. You don't think it will happen to you or someone you know. You read about it in the paper and think it's sad, but when it's somebody you know, it forces you to reevaluate." For more information on becoming an organ and tissue donor, the Finger Lakes Donor Registry Network can be reached at (585) 272-4930 or online at www.donorrecovery.org. The Rochester Eye and Tissue Bank can be reached at (585) 272-7890 or online at www.retb.org. <em>Amy Cavalier can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 243, or at acavalier@mpnewspapers.com.