10-year-old New Bedford boy passes away, services and fundraiser announced

10-year-olds are not supposed to die, but sadly, the thought doesn’t stop it from happening.

Zachary Cordeiro of New Bedford passed away on Friday at Boston Children’s Hospital.

10-year-olds are supposed to be running around playing and not thinking about the future unless it’s what he wants to have for snack after dinner.

Instead, Zachary was born with, and had to deal with, a severe heart condition and his own mortality, although those who knew him say he showed incredible strength despite the odds.

About a month ago, this child went into cardiac arrest, and he would never recover. As tragic as this is for a 10-year-old boy, he isn’t the only one that will never recover. While his parents and sibling are still here on earth, their lives will likely never be the same.

Life has never known to be fair. The phrase “only the good die young”, which Billy Joel penned into a hit song, exists for a reason.

What we can do is try our best to ease the pain of the family members who are left behind.

Todd Casilli is playing a benefit show this Friday from 7pm to 10pm at The Lafayette Club in Taunton for his nephew, Zachary. All proceeds will go to Casilli’s sister and brother in-law.

There will be a 50/50 raffle & his tip jar. If you cannot make it and would like to help them out, his VENMO is @Todd-Casilli. The last four phone number digits are 7725.

Zachary’s visitation is Thursday, December 19 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St, New Bedford. The funeral service will also be held there on Friday, December 20 from 9:00 – 9:30 am. Mass will be held on Friday, December 20 from 10:00 – 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 789 Dartmouth St, Dartmouth. Burial will take place on Friday, December 20 from 11:15 – 11:30 am at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St, New Bedford.