St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East, Community Grieving Loss of Student

St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East students, staff and administrators are grieving today after news a student passed away overnight. 

Tyler Purohit's battle with a cancerous tumor in his brain was no secret to the student body, teachers, or anyone part of the East family. 

He made sure of that. 

"When he was first diagnosed, he made a Power Point presentation," Manoj, Tyler's father said. "It was called 'How I'm Going to Kick Cancer's Butt.'" 

Students knew the 12-year-old as "T-Sizzle." Tyler even has a pizza at local joint Andy's Hometowne Pizza named in his honor - the T-Sizzler. 

"He's always been positive. Always thinking of others," said his mother, Julia (Jewels), who kept the community abreast of Tyler's fight with cancer via a Caringbridge site over the past two years. 

Here is today's entry, as Manoj told followers of the family's loss: 

It is with a very heavy heart that we have to let you all know that our beautiful Tyler became one of God’s angels this morning at 12:13 am and lost his courageous battle with Cancer.  Tyler passed very peacefully, without any pain and with Jewels, Niki, Alex and me by his side.  

Though his life was so much shorter than we were wishing for, he lived it to the fullest.  His genuinely kind and caring nature endeared him to all that he met and that incredible Tyler smile captured all our hearts.   In his short life, Tyler taught us all how to live a complete life.  That by caring more about others than we do ourselves, we enhance our own lives.   That having a genuine smile on your face when you meet someone can brighten their day.   And that by doing your very best in all your endeavors, you inspire others to better themselves.
 
Tyler faced his courageous battle with cancer with grace beyond his years.   Even while going through all surgeries, radiation, chemo, nausea, multiple MRI’s, shunt pain, he never once complained.   Instead he would always ask us how we were doing in that beautiful voice of his.  
 
Our family can’t thank you all enough for all the prayers and positive energy you sent Tyler’s way.  It is through all the prayers that Tyler found peace and joined his number 1 mom, Laura in heaven.  Thank you also for all the support and encouraging words you’ve given our entire family.  They mean more to us that we will ever be able to adequately express.  We will post information on final arrangements as soon as we have them.
 
Below is Tyler’s favorite poem.
  
Tecumseh Poem from Act of Valor (2012)
 
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.  Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.  Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.  Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.  Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.  When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.  Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
 
God bless.

Manoj & Jewels 

St. Michael-Albertville School District will have counselors and extra staff available to students today, a letter sent to MS East parents stated. Tyler's passing was discussed with students during the KORT (Knights of the Round Table) hour, held daily. 

Arrangements will be announced later. 

There is a fund set up in Tyler's honor, dubbed "Tyler's Helping Hand Fund." Munoj indicated the fund will be a foundation moving forward to assist other families with children fighting cancer.  

Patch will have a series of articles next week honoring Tyler and his impact on both the St. Michael community and the medical family he was part of at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.