Elias Thomas Wezowicz, 9, of Gorham, died Nov. 22, at Maine Medical Center in the arms of his parents after a courageous battle with mitochondrial disease.

He was born Feb. 1, 2006, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, to Sarah and Joel Wezowicz.

Elias was a fourth-grader at Narragansett Elementary School, where he enjoyed  spending time with his friends. He had a great sense of wonder, and loved art, science and learning about the world. He was a compassionate young man with an amazing sense of humor. Elias took great joy in making others laugh.

When he was younger, Elias enjoyed doing karate, playing soccer and T-ball and going on hikes with his family. As his energy began declining he found more joy in his garden, fishing and playing games with friends and family.

Elias was very spiritual, with wisdom beyond his years. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish in Westbrook and loved to attend Mass. He also prayed every night for others suffering from illness. His faith gave him a great sense of peace.

Family was everything to Elias; he spoke of his love for them until he died.

He is survived by his parents; a younger sister, Adia; his grandparents Sherman and Penny Milliken, of Topsham, and Thomas and Mary Ellen Wezowicz, of Bridgton; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that he adored.

Special thanks to all the wonderful health care professionals that cared for Elias since his diagnosis in 2013 and the staff at Maine Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation’s Path to a Cure at umdfpathtoacure.org.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 28 at St. Anthony of Padua, followed by a committal service at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Wezowicz