‘Superheroes,’ first responders attend Naples boy’s funeral

NAPLES, Fla. — Family and friends donned costumes Thursday as they gathered for the funeral of a superhero-loving 4-year-old boy who succumed Saturday to cancer.

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott and other law enforcement officials and firefighters also showed up in uniform for the ceremony at New Hope Ministries to remember Damian Creed, who adored and looked up to first responders.

Damian battled retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, for two and a half years. During that time, he became a beloved figure in the community. The North Collier Fire and Rescue District made him honorary chief for a day and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office made him an honorary deputy.

Sarah Hancock, Damian’s mother, wore a red cape to the funeral and expressed gratitude for the support as she remembered her son’s relentless spirit.

“He put up a good fight until the end,” Hancock said. “He did not want to go.”

The superhero appearances added levity to an otherwise somber event Wednesday. A police officer from Fort Worth, Texas, who spent a day with Damian at Disney World, donned a Spider-Man suit as he guarded the casket, which was draped with an American flag.

One woman showed up dressed as Rapunzel, Damian’s favorite princess. Jorge Aguilera, the assistant chief of the North Collier Fire and Rescue District, unbuttoned his uniform to show a superman suit beneath, saying it was what “Chief” Damian would have wanted him to do.