Harrow, Ont., teen remembered for his love of family, friends and baseball

A Harrow, Ont., teen who died in a collision last weekend is being mourned as a joyous person who had a passion for baseball.

Soham Lane, 16, was a longtime player in the Miracle League of Amherstburg — an organization for people with disabilities that Lane, who had Down syndrome, first joined at the age of four.

"You could see it in his eyes," said Shawn Dufour, the league's president.

"His face when he crosses home plate, each and every time he hits the ball, is what I envision the Miracle League to be about. He's got a huge smile. His hands are up in the air."

Lane played a game in the Miracle League the day before his death.

He was fatally struck by a vehicle on the morning of Oct. 6, before 7 a.m.

Essex County OPP said the collision happened on County Road 18 — within walking distance of Lane's home on Rizzo Nicola Road.

As of Friday, OPP said their investigation continues, but charges are not anticipated.

Dufour said Lane's parents told him it was not Lane's usual behaviour to go wandering.

"Soham, right now, is my screen saver on my phone. That's how much he means to me," Dufour said.

"I've said this as an educator: So many times, with our special needs students and special needs players — I just want to get in their heads and try to figure out what they're thinking about... You just don't know how they're thinking things through."

An adoptee, Lane was the eldest child in a family with five kids.

Along with his parents, siblings, and many extended family members, Lane had the love of a second family because of his best friend, Tommy Wright — a fellow person with Down syndrome.

"They had a bond like no other. It was more than a friendship. More like brothers," said Jen Wright, Tommy's mother. "Our families became bonded."

The duo first met during their early childhood education at the John McGivney Children's Centre.

Wright said that over the past 12 years, the pair shared countless good times: play dates at each other's homes, attending sports and entertainment events, going on vacations and cottage outings, and participating in the Miracle League together.

Wright said Lane's developmental disability kept him from much verbal communication, but there were two words he said clearly and repeatedly: "ball" and "Tommy."

"He's such a fun-loving little guy. Always up for an adventure."

"Tommy led him through a lot of their activities and a lot of their social outings together," Wright explained. "They had so much fun playing together, laughing together."

Wright said her son is "100 per cent" aware of Lane's passing.

"It's a really big struggle... We're all coping the best that we can."

Dufour said the entire Miracle League community has been grieving and honouring Soham Lane.

A special baseball card for him has been printed and distributed. A moment of silence will be held for him at the next Miracle League game, and Lane's personal "walk-up" music will be played as a tribute.

"People are going to miss him for sure," Dufour said. "The joy that he brought to the team, and to the diamond, every Saturday."

Arrangements have been made with Kendrick Funeral Home in Kingsville. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and a service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Donations on Soham's behalf are being accepted by the Windsor-Essex Down Syndrome Association, the Miracle League of Amherstburg and the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association.