Family of 16-year-old local boy who died unexpectedly wants public to be more aware of mental health

Friends and family from Fall River to Swansea to Middleboro are dealing with the sudden and tragic loss of a young teen who had a bright future.

According to his family, Zachary Borges was an energetic, full-of-life 16-year-old beautiful boy with a heart of gold. Those who knew Zachary admired his kindness and determination to be successful in everything he did.

On July 11th, however, a parent’s worst nightmare came true. Zachary passed away unexpectedly at his home in Middleboro.

The loss of Zachary across the community has been profound and has left his friends and family devastated and heartbroken. He had a smile that could light up a room and he loved to make people laugh.

Borges was born in Fall River and attended Case and Middleborough High Schools. He loved video games, spending time with friends/family, music, watching the Patriots, and playing football. Zachary was a Fall River Falcon for most of his life and if he wasn’t at practice, he was in the yard with his brother playing football or tossing the ball in the pool with his friends. He always dreamed of playing in the NFL one day. A dream that sadly won’t be fulfilled.

The family did not want to release Zachary’s cause of death but wants people to be more aware of mental health.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to bring mental health awareness to light. You can donate to the GoFundMe or to mental health awareness in memory of Zachary.

All are invited to attend a memorial visitation for Zach on Friday July 22, from 10:00 a.m. – noon at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 280 Bedford Street Lakeville followed by a memorial service at noon. Zach will be laid to rest in Saint Mary’s Cemetery on Wood Street in Middleborough immediately following the memorial service. A celebration of Zachary will continue for family and friends at the Boston Tavern in Middleborough following the interment at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. A memorial will also take place at Roger’s Funeral Home in Fall River on Thursday the 21st with a funeral mass on Friday the 22nd.