WILLIAMSBURG - Our "Angel in the Dug Out", Kevin Matthew Eadie, age 14, of Williamsburg, Va., ascended to Heaven on Nov. 12, 2008, after a long and courageous battle in fighting his illness.He is the beloved son of Robert D. Eadie, and the son and 'Aloha Angel' of Brenda D. Eadie. Kevin was born in Burlington, Vt., on Dec. 24, 1993. He arrived on Christmas Eve, as the most special gift, and he lived his entire life being a most special person. Kevin always had a smile and a sweet gesture to everyone. He never met anyone who was a stranger and always had the most loving and infectious personality, which transformed people into better human beings.
Kevin had the greatest love for life, which he exhibited in many ways and to everyone he met. His kindness, fun-loving personality, determination, courage and his "Aloha" spirit touched many lives worldwide.
Kevin fell in love with the Hawaiian Islands when he was three years old, and was born with a passion for baseball. He was a student of Lafayette High School and attended DJ Montague Elementary. Kevin attended 6th grade at Lokelani Middle School in Kihei, Hawaii. Kevin played Little League Baseball for York County for four years. Kevin proudly held the position as Batboy for the Peninsula Pilots Baseball Team in Hampton, Va., for the past seven seasons. He worked tirelessly against great odds as the Pilots Batboy, and he loved his Teammates, Coaches, and "His Boss," Henry. For the past eight years, he has been the "Honorary Batboy" for the Bolton Bombers, which is a charitable softball team organized by Singer/Songwriter Michael Bolton. He was named "Honorary Batboy" for Major League Baseball Team, Washington Nationals, since Aug. 2007. Kevin was the Batboy for MLB John Bowker of the San Francisco Giants, and MLB Player, Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals.
Kevin was as courageous in battling his illness as he was in living his life, despite adversities. Kevin was a bouncing happy and healthy little three year old, when his parents learned Kevin had a rare and fatal lipid storage disorder called Niemann Pick Type C (NP-C). NP-C is caused by the body's inability to metabolize cholesterol, which leads to a slow deterioration of the brain. It is an insidious life-robbing disease, and has some similarities to Alzheimer's.
Kevin will always be our role model. Throughout his life, the gift he gave to all is the meaning and importance of spirituality, faith, hope, love, laughter, family, friendship, and courage. With a positive attitude, he humbly participated in many fundraising events over the past 12 years, to raise research funds for his "Team in Arizona," the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, and the National Niemann Pick Disease Foundation. With the progression of NP-C, Kevin lost many of life's joys such as the ability to eat, talk, walk, and move his limbs. Through all his loss and pain, he never complained and was always motivated to fight hard hoping for better days. Baseball Legend, Hank Aaron, wrote to Kevin in May 2007, "I know it's been tough for you and your parents, but you have been incredibly brave and inspirational to so many people!" "You've been a great batboy for the Pilots through the years, and I know that the players, coaches, and owner consider you a great "teammate" of theirs and that you have helped them tremendously with your positive attitude." "Baseball has been a big part of your life, as well as mine." "You have hit so many home runs just by smiling and persevering and proving the power of your will." "While that terrible disease has limited the things you can do with your body, it has not been able to break your spirit."
Kevin heroically battled his illness until the end of his shortened season, and exemplified what a Champion is all about. In baseball terms, he has been drafted to the Major Leagues and he is now "SAFE".
Kevin loved his family and friends. Kevin leaves to carry on his legacy and memories, his mom, Brenda D. Eadie of Williamsburg; his dad, Robert D. Eadie of Gloucester; maternal grandmother, Mary Lou Wyatt of Newport News; paternal grandfather and grandmother, Edwin and Virginia Eadie of Davidson, N.C.; maternal aunt and uncle, Jewell and Larry Reid of Newport News, Helen and Robert Roybark of Christiansburg, Va., Emily Hancock of Glen Allen, Va.; paternal aunt and uncle, Jean and Phil Maillie of Cornelius, N.C., David Eadie of Springfield, Va., Scott Eadie of Hinesburg, Vt.; four maternal cousins, Tommy and Tonya Johnson of Newport News, Jason Hancock of Northern Virginia, Chad Belcher of Dayton, Ohio; and his adopted by love and devotion aunt and uncles, Pat Okrasinski of Newport News, Bobby Surry of Newport News (Bobby's Buddy Boy), and Henry Morgan of Carrollton, Va.
Our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to Kevin's "Guardian Angel" ? Dr. Cynthia Epstein of CHKD; Kevin's pediatricians, Dr. Shannon Pope and Dr. Mark Downey; Kevin's loving In-Home Caregivers throughout his life: Allison, Dianne, India, Josie, Krista, Linda, Pamela, Sharon, Terri, Tramesha, and Kevin's life-long best friend and first love, Katie Dianne.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA, (757) 595-4424begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (757) 595-4424 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. All of Kevin's friends and many fans are invited to pay their respects beginning noon, Sunday, Nov. 16, at Peninsula Funeral Home and Kevin's family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. "A Celebration of Kevin's Life" service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at First Baptist Church, 12716 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA. In the spirit of Kevin's love of the Islands and solidarity, we hope anyone who wishes to wear their tropical or Hawaiian attire for Kevin's service will feel free to do so. There will be a private burial.
Kevin leaves behind his family and friends who are deeply saddened by Kevin's suffering and by losing our Hero. We will miss him so very much. We will carry on his legacy through the Kevin Eadie Foundation and by our cherished memories. Although our hearts are heavy, we are comforted by the memories we hold dear, knowing Kevin suffers no more, and by the realization we are ALL better people from the lessons he taught us of love, courage, and humility. We know our "Angel in the Dug Out" is running around in Paradise, playing lots of baseball, and watching over us. Kevin? "Keep Swinging"? Your Sweet Soul will be in our hearts forever. "Aloha Kevin."
