Miller Mack Gardner, the 14-year-old son of Yankees star Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, has been remembered in a heartfelt tribute following his death from a sudden illness.
The obituary for Miller came after Brett and Jessica announced the news of their son's death in a statement on March 23, when they revealed he had passed away after becoming unwell 'along with several other family members while on vacation'.
The family had been visiting a town on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica when Miller died 'peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st'.
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One week after his death, the Charleston Post & Courier published an obituary for Miller in which he was described as an 'active 8th grade student' who was involved in a huge array of hobbies.
"Born October 24, 2010 in Charleston, Miller was the son of Jessica and Brett Gardner," the obituary says. "Miller was an active 8th grade student at Pinewood Preparatory School, where he was a member of the middle school football team and junior varsity baseball team, as well as the school Honor Roll. Outside of school, his hobbies included golf, fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes, and traveling to new places with his family."
The tribute described how Miller is survived by his 'loving parents and older brother, Hunter', as well as 'all of Summerville, South Carolina' more generally.
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Miller also left behind grandparents, Faye and Jerry Gardner, Susan Clendenin and Tom Clendenin (Carrie), as well as a large extended family who 'considered him their own and will miss his smile that brought joy to all'.
"The void Miller's passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years," it continues. "The Gardner family will forever cherish the places they visited, the people they met, the friends they made, and the memories they created together. Miller's time here with them was brief but his spirit will carry on forever through those who were impacted by the way he lived."
Miller's family noted that the teenager was 'so blessed with experiences and friendships in his 14 years' that he would want other children to have the chance to make memories of their own.
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As a result, the family is asking for any donations made in Miller's honor to go to the The Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"The Gardners have seen the organization's impact firsthand on numerous occasions and have always been deeply moved by the hope, strength, and inspiration each wish provides for children and families facing difficult times," the obituary explains.
"In this time of unimaginable loss, the family prays that joy and healing will come to others who share their grief. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date for family and close friends."
In the wake of questions around Miller's death, the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of Costa Rica announced on Monday (March 31) that his death is believed to be related to carbon monoxide inhalation.
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Director Randall Zúñiga said: “We also have to wait for the final results of forensic toxicology to determine exactly what caused the death. However, the initial lines of investigation indicate that it was due to this contamination situation, where up to 600 parts per million were found, when the correct level should be zero in this particular case.”
Emily Brown