MUST SEE: Young Superhero Laid to Rest

Five-year-old Frank Talley was a hero in the eyes of all. He fought a courageous battle with brain cancer, and it was a battle he fought valiantly up until the very end.

On Monday, the community gathered to lay little Franky to rest.

The young resident of Bristol Township’s Levittown section was escorted by costumed heroes of all types. But as Franky knew, it wasn’t a superhero costume that made one strong – it was the courage that was inside. Friends and family, including his mother Tiffany Fusco, have all exhibited that courage.

Franky was remembered at J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel in Morrisville and transported with fire truck escort to Holy Trinity Church Cemetery in Lower Makefield.

“I just wanted Franky to be happy and cured, however, this is not how I wanted him cured. But if he is happy and able to play with his friends, other kids, and family in heaven – I am happy. I will always love Franky so much,” Ayzia Toledo, 10, said at the service.

Franky’s nurse Hilda Radison-Quintero recalled caring from the little boy.

“It was an honor caring for Franky,” she said. “Franky was not a patient, he was a special boy, and his pain was my pain and I will remember him forever.”

Jose Reynolds, who met Franky through his Kid Krashers business, read the following poem for Franky:

Dear Franky, when I think of you, I think of when we met on our movie date. It’s been a pleasure to put a smile on your face. When I think of you, I think of your friends, family, and mom, you are the reason we bond. When I think of you, I think of peace, love and unity. Your super powers is what gathered our community. When I think of you, I think of fortune cookies, laughter, and smiles, days has passed, its been a while. When I think of you, I think of ice cream, Elmo and coco cola with a straw, even these little memories will live with us all.

A balloon release was held at the cemetery in Franky’s memory.

Franky suffered from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Medical experts say there is no known cure for the brain stem cancer that affects children. According to WebMD, chemotherapy is the  most effective form of treatment for DIPG, however, in 90 percent of the cases the treatment extends the patients life by only 18 months.

Franky’s condition began to worsen on last week and his mother wrote on the Team Franky Facebook page that she feared he did not have much more time.

“I have never in my life been so scared that the time is near. My heart is in so much pain,” she wrote.

When Franky’s cancer began to worsen just before Christmas, firefighters from Edgely Fire Company and Levittown Fire Company No. 2 surprised the strong-willed little boy with a visit.

Franky is now gone, and it’s now time for the community to remember Franky’s spirit. Reynolds said it best: “These little memories will live with us all.”