In loving memory of
Marcus W Triantafellu

• June 18, 1994
• -
• October 03, 2009

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Marcus Wade Triantafellu born 6/18/1994 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL in 2000. Marcus had a huge impact in people’s lives, not just his family, but his community.  He first attended Chisholm Elementary and then transferred to Edgewater Elementary School. He then went on to New Smyrna Beach Middle school and was currently a Freshman at New Smyrna Beach High School.   He loved people.  He would always ask “What name?” and then tell you his, but then he’d always say “When I grow up” and look to Mom or Dad to fill in “when he grows up, he wants to do your job”.  That’s the thing about Marcus he always thought he could do anything, without limitations, he wanted to do it all. He loved the people in the stores of NSB - Publix and Winn Dixie, to Wal-Mart and Blockbuster.  I’m sure the Home Depot people wondered who arranged their shelves after we’d been by. He loved the people at his schools- all of them from students, teachers and paraprofessionals to cafeteria ladies and maintenance people all the way up to the principals.  He loved the policeman and always wanted to help “catch the bad-guys”. He knew Bert Fish Medical Center like it was home.  He knew the registration people and Laboratory and X-ray personnel like they were family.  He’d always ask me “Who on call Mom?” so I’d have to let him know who was on call in Ultrasound, and then of course who was on call in X-ray if I got called in.  When he’d need a CT or Bloodwork he always knew the person who helped him and often times he’d try to help them hold vials or push buttons. The people of Bert Fish Medical Center loved Marcus too.  You have to know that while Marcus was in the hospital at Shand’s, people gave up their vacation time to me so that Stan and I could stay in Gainesville with Marcus.  This is truly a small hospital with a heart and I can’t thank all my friends there enough for caring for us in that way. Marcus loved his doctors too. And best of all was Dr. Carithers and his staff.  He’d have hugs for the girls and always helped Dr. Carithers with his checkup.  Marcus had an immune deficiency so he was frequently sick, and I know that we were lucky to have Dr. Carithers. We always kept Dr. Carithers on his toes - between the Smith-Magenis Syndrome and the immune deficiency - he was always looking for the best treatment for his current illness. He was truly our neighborhood watch person. He’d sit on the front porch in the rocking chair listening w/ headphones to his Country Music and watch and wave as our neighbors went about their daily lives.  But they’d honk and wave at him. Often we’d hear “Oh yeah, you’re Spiderman’s Mom” because he’d love to wear his Halloween costume well into July. Another big favorite thing to do was call people on the phone.  As he grew up and we used our cell phones constantly, he’d use the speed-dial and call his favorite people.  His brother Matt, Grandma, and Aunt Joanne were his favorites.  But he felt so grown up to be able to do it, and you’d see a big smile on his face as he left the room to go sit on the front porch and talk.   He loved to “Go out to eat”, another thing that made him feel so grown up.  He enjoyed all places from Applebee’s to Dairy Queen. Through our time of living in NSB, he’d come to know his grandparents very well.  They both passed away in the last few years and of course it’s hard to explain that to children. But Marcus realized that Heaven was a safe place where the people he loved are now waiting for him.  He has no fear to be with his grandparents or to meet the family members that have gone there before him.  And we know that he’s got all the blue-eyed blonde haired angels lined up for hugs. When Stan’s parents were in assisted living, all the residents and staff enjoyed our visits.  Marcus never met a stranger, so he brought smiles to many of the faces of the people there.  He’d always help set table and watch pets for them.  He loved it as much as they did. Marcus was a member of SPARC, although he didn’t go to many of the functions, we’d planned as he grew older to go to more and more events.  He had a lot of fun playing softball this spring, and we hoped he’d enjoy more things as time went on.    This community has made Marcus feel welcome and loved.  He knew this was home, he wanted to grow up here and do his job here- whatever that would be.  The people of this community made him feel important and never acknowledged his disabilities to embarrass him or make him feel bad, he was proud of who he was. You all made him feel like he was top dog and he knew it. And as his parents, we can’t thank all of you enough for making him feel so good about himself. We have always been so proud of Marcus and always said he gave us more in life than we’d ever given to him.  He taught us so much.  We are so grateful to have been given the blessing of his life and the opportunity to be around him. We love him so much and will always miss him.       In lieu of flowers and gifts please send donations to SPARC of Volusia (Special Populations Activities and Recreation Council) SPARC P.O.Box 1868 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170. Celebration of Life Tribute will be 6:00 PM Tuesday, October 6 at Coronado Community United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 PM.  Coronado Community United Methodist Church 201 South Peninsula Avenue New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 (map/driving directions) Sea Pines Memorial Gardens