Best friends killed in Falmouth crash will be laid to rest side-by-side

FALMOUTH, Mass. — A community gathered in grief Tuesday, remembering a young life that ended too soon.

Family, friends and classmates said goodbye to James Lavin, one of two teens killed in a tragic car crash on the Cape.

Lavin's high school teammates guided his casket down the aisle of Saint Patrick's Church Tuesday morning as hundreds of his friends and family members gathered to say goodbye.

The Falmouth High School athlete, along with his teammate Owen Higgins, was driving back from hockey practice last week when he lost control of the car -- killing the two best friends.

James’ sister, Cherie, was heartbroken as she remembered her younger brother.

“From the beginning, my brother and I had a special connection. We made up a joke that we were twins because we had the same color hair and eyes,” she said. “I was always right by his side, but he was also always there for me; when I got a job on Nantucket, James came with me to meet my landlord, he shook the man's hand and made sure I was safe.”

James looked up to his older brother John, but John admired his younger brother.

“He wanted to create his own path,” John said. “I admired him so much for that and looking around at this community, I'm certain my brother established his own legacy here.”

James and Owen's deaths rocked the tight knit Cape Cod community. We learned Tuesday the best friends will be laid to rest side-by-side.

“When I look for him now, I need to look up -- not to the ground,” Cherie said. “I need to look up to the stars to the dark side of the moon -- James' favorite Pink Floyd album.  James is there with Owen and all the departed angels. I’m so sure of that, when I found out that they will be buried side by side.”

Owen Higgins' wake is set for Thursday.

His funeral services will be held Friday morning.

Cox Media Group