Colton Bureau found a love of fishing in the last year or two.
Living along the Kiski River in Apollo, the 14-year-old boy often walked down to the water with his pole to make a few casts. It didn’t matter what type of fish he caught, as long as something was on the hook, said his stepfather, Jason Cecchini.
“He never brought anything home; he was always catch and release,” Cecchini said Tuesday.
Bureau’s family is devastated that he died Monday, two days after Cecchini said he suffered a medical emergency and fell into the Kiski River. Bureau had a history of seizures but hadn’t experienced one since May and had been diligently taking his medicine.
He had been cleared to play football for Apollo-Ridge High School, where he started school Aug. 20.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office announced Tuesday evening that Colton died from complications of near drowning with a history of seizure disorder. His death was ruled an accident.
First responders were called about 2:45 p.m. Saturday to the Roaring Run trailhead off Canal Road in Kiski, just outside Apollo, police said. Two other children and eight adults helped pull Bureau out of the water. He died Monday at UPMC Children’s Hospital, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.
Now Cecchini and his fiancee, Lauren Shirley, are preparing for a celebration of life at Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home in Apollo.
“We want Colton’s story out there, we want people to know that it was a medical emergency, a medical accident,” Cecchini said.
The Apollo-Ridge community has been rallying around the family since Saturday. An online fundraiser had brought in more than $9,000 late Tuesday morning, and a meal train is being organized. Bureau will be honored during the Apollo-Ridge football team’s Charity Night on Friday. Counselors are available this week at the school district.
Cecchini said he and his fiancee have been hearing so many stories about how Bureau, who has two younger brothers, positively impacted the lives of others in the community.
“The little kids around the neighborhood would come around and ask for Colton,” Cecchini said. “A normal 14-year-old would blow them off, but not Colton.”
He described Bureau as a personable, humble teenager with a big smile. Bureau was remembered during a candlelight vigil Monday and by flowers placed at his lunch table at school, Cecchini said. His friends have been sending Shirley pictures they took of him fishing. The memories others have been sharing have been uplifting for the family.
“I’m speechless over it,” Cecchini said.
Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home at 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. The celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday with an hour of visitation beforehand. Memorial contributions can be made to Roaring Run Watershed Association, P.O. Box 333, Apollo, PA 15613.
