Everyone who met Corey Lake was inspired by his fighting spirit and strength.
A lifelong fan of the Parramatta Eels, 13 year old Corey's battle with various health problems over the past decade touched Eels players and staff alike with his humour, jokes and good spirit even in the toughest of times.
When Corey was four years old, he received a heart transplant, and in the last few years also beat non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
This June, Corey's health took a turn for the worse, with his body rejecting his transplanted heart, leading to serious infections.
As his mother, Jo Lake told the Macarthur Chronicle, Corey was surrounded by his family when the peaceful moment of his passing came last Friday afternoon.
"All family and friends were called in," Mrs Lake said. "But later on in the day when it was time, which he decided on his terms, all the extended family went out and it was just the five of us when he passed away peacefully. He wasn't distressed, and when he did pass he looked more peaceful than he has in years.
"He knew it was time. He still had the will to live, and if it was up to his spirit he would be here but his body couldn't keep going."
The Magdelene Catholic High School student, and former St Anthony's Catholic Parish Primary School pupil, was nicknamed "Courageous Corey" this year, as the entire Macarthur region community got behind him.
"He was a true fighter and absolutely the most courageous person I think I will ever meet," Mrs Lake said.
The family of "Courageous Corey" are holding a Blue and Gold sendoff today at St Anthony's Catholic Church (20 Stratford Road, Tahmoor) to celebrate his life and the joy he brought to everyone who met him.
His funeral will be followed by his burial at 1.30pm in the 'Garden of Resurrection' at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
On behalf of everyone at the Parramatta Eels, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Corey's family and friends - Corey truly warmed the hearts of everyone who met him, and he will be greatly missed.
The Lake family has asked that any flowers, donations or tributes to Precious Angels Baby Funerals, who can be contacted on 1300 766 227 or by email here.
All donations will be forwarded to charities such as Heartkids, Cure our Kids, Camp Quality and Redkite, who have been of immense assistance to Corey during all his health challenges.
A lifelong fan of the Parramatta Eels, 13 year old Corey's battle with various health problems over the past decade touched Eels players and staff alike with his humour, jokes and good spirit even in the toughest of times.
When Corey was four years old, he received a heart transplant, and in the last few years also beat non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
This June, Corey's health took a turn for the worse, with his body rejecting his transplanted heart, leading to serious infections.
As his mother, Jo Lake told the Macarthur Chronicle, Corey was surrounded by his family when the peaceful moment of his passing came last Friday afternoon.
"All family and friends were called in," Mrs Lake said. "But later on in the day when it was time, which he decided on his terms, all the extended family went out and it was just the five of us when he passed away peacefully. He wasn't distressed, and when he did pass he looked more peaceful than he has in years.
"He knew it was time. He still had the will to live, and if it was up to his spirit he would be here but his body couldn't keep going."
The Magdelene Catholic High School student, and former St Anthony's Catholic Parish Primary School pupil, was nicknamed "Courageous Corey" this year, as the entire Macarthur region community got behind him.
"He was a true fighter and absolutely the most courageous person I think I will ever meet," Mrs Lake said.
The family of "Courageous Corey" are holding a Blue and Gold sendoff today at St Anthony's Catholic Church (20 Stratford Road, Tahmoor) to celebrate his life and the joy he brought to everyone who met him.
His funeral will be followed by his burial at 1.30pm in the 'Garden of Resurrection' at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
On behalf of everyone at the Parramatta Eels, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Corey's family and friends - Corey truly warmed the hearts of everyone who met him, and he will be greatly missed.
The Lake family has asked that any flowers, donations or tributes to Precious Angels Baby Funerals, who can be contacted on 1300 766 227 or by email here.
All donations will be forwarded to charities such as Heartkids, Cure our Kids, Camp Quality and Redkite, who have been of immense assistance to Corey during all his health challenges.
