Liam de Boer

Liam lived his life at full speed. He was always 100% on or 100% off. Before his sudden death, Liam had many passions and when he started something before you knew it he was the best at it. Soccer, music, video games, photography, academics, and making people happy. He began his career in organized soccer as captain of the Richmond Hill Raiders, where he played for a year before becoming a defender on the East Gwillimbury Talons. He loved nothing more than playing and practicing with his team. He was as loved by his teammates as he was feared by the opposing striker. His grandfather taught him guitar and he was teaching himself how to play the piano at his Oma's house. But he also loved it when the bass would drop or when "Rap God" hit its stride, either on the surround sound on his computer or in his Beats headphones. In League of Legends, Minecraft, Halo, Borderlands 2, and many other games he quickly hit the top of the leaderboards and made all the achievements. He also loved to play with his Dad, Mother, brother, and sisters, and those ridiculous times together are some of their fondest memories. Liam loved photography, and was part of the yearbook club at St. Robert Catholic High School, which he was loving. He had a knack for capturing the essence of a scene or the character of a person (when he wasn't taking goofy or weirdly perfect selfies). He excelled at academics, and despite being in Grade 9, was working hard to get and keep marks high enough to get into med school. But most of all, Liam cared for people and worked to bring joy into their lives. As a kindergarten helper he was equally gentle and tender with those in his care as he was ferocious if they needed protection. He was a friend to everyone who needed him to be a friend. His laugh and smile could make anything bad go away. And most of all, he gave laughter and pure joy to his brother Aidan, sister Michaela, sister Ariel, mother Hanna, and father James, who are all now left with a Liam-sized hole in their hearts.