One week after an accident claimed the life of a young boy and rocked a community, those who knew Lane Robert Rowe are remembering him as he lived: with compassion, energy and a smile.
“He really was a sweet boy. He had a great smile and I would say maybe a little mischievous kind of guy,” said a tearful Sue Cifaratta, who was a third-grade teacher at Stevens Elementary School, where Rowe attended class until moving up to O’Rourke Middle School this year. “He was happy and friendly and a hard worker, he always came into class with a smile on his face and he had a lot of friends.”
Stevens Elementary Principal Ralph Rothacker said Rowe enjoyed performing Michael Jackson’s moonwalk moves in classrooms and hallways for others.
He also said that Rowe enjoyed performing Michael Jackson’s moonwalk moves in classrooms and hallways for others.
“He loved music … and he was a bit of a jokester, too,” he said.
Rowe, 11, was killed on Monday, Oct. 1, as he attempted to stop a minivan carrying his siblings inside from rolling into traffic. Authorities are still looking into the accident.
In the wake of the tragedy, a guest book on Rowe’s obituary web page filled with more than 100 notes and prayers from friends, family and teachers. Cifaratta, who now teaches at the middle school and had Rowe in her math class, said the past days have been filled with reminiscence about the boy. One student in Cifaratta’s class said that Rowe would be the shining star in their class for Tuesday, Oct. 2.
“He was a great kid to remember all the positive things,” she said.
On the day of the accident, a letter was sent home from O’Rourke Middle School Principal Colleen Wolff and the district posted a message on its website. A phone chain meant many staff members at the district heard about the incident from a member of the school community rather than on the news.
Rothacker said he remembers Rowe was well liked by everybody and was good-natured.
“When you look at the tragic accident and what he attempted to do, it was the way he ran his life. He put others first. He was very considerate,” said Rothacker.
Rothacker also said he’d like the community to take away something good from the tragedy and remember Rowe’s positive outlook on life. “And his need to make others happy and content – he was very unselfish,” he said.
Stevens Elementary School made special arrangements with substitute teachers, so that teachers and staff could attend services for Rowe on Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Burnt Hills Methodist Church.
Rowe is survived by his parents Jennifer and Daniel Abraham of Burnt Hills and Robert Rowe and Carol Von Fricken of Schenectady; brothers, Reid Rowe, EJ, Lark and Felix Abraham; sisters, Luca and Donya Rowe and Miah Abraham; and extended family members.
Contributions to the Lane Rowe Memorial Fund may be made at any branch of the Ballston Spa National Bank or be mailed to the bank at PO Box 70, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.