The Tonawanda community came together Saturday to remember one of its own.

Dozens honored the life of Shane Foster, a former student athlete at Tonawanda High School, who died by suicide in March 2018.

“I love him, I miss him,” said Sherry Ritter, Shane’s mother.

Tonawanda Firemen’s Park was a sea of lime green as dozens wore brightly colored shirts at the second annual Summer Bash for Shane, to honor Foster, who was 24 when he died.

“If you’re down, if you’re having rough times, tough times, think of Shane’s smile, it could lighten up a room, lighten up the world and we’re trying to live every single day in his memory and do as much as we can in his name,” said Scott Foster, Shane’s brother.

After Shane passed away, his family stepped up to continue his legacy by creating a scholarship fund for student athletes at Tonawanda High School. Shane played football, basketball and baseball when he was a student there.

The family also gives back to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline says suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between 10 and 24 years old.

“My goal is to soon grow the scholarship fund into something bigger and better, more closely related to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, possibly resources for families like ourselves who have experienced suicide loss,” said Foster.