Memorial for Sid Ortis held at Mountain Brook High School

A celebration on the life of Sid Ortis held on the Mountain Brook High School football field was attended by over 1,500 people Monday evening. Students, parents and friends sang songs of worship, prayed, released balloons with prayers and remembrances of their friend and concluded with the lighting of candles.

Sid passed away Saturday, Oct. 31 following a 14-month battle with osteosarcoma. 

The event was organized by several churches in the community, according to Canterbury United Methodist's Director of Student Ministries, Stephen Ingram. The event aimed to celebrate Sid’s life and his family’s resolve.

“They taught us a new way to see death and some really beautiful things came of it,” Ingram said.

Organizers also rolled out butcher paper and provide markers for attendees to write letters to the Ortis family. 

"We believe that [the letters] could be something important to them [the Ortis family]," Ingram said.

At the end of the night, attendees were encouraged to write prayers or letters to Sid on pieces of paper and attach them to purple and yellow balloons. Those balloons were then released into the night.

Village Living extends its sincere condolences to the Ortis family and friends.