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Patterson Mill football team to honor Isaac Pfarr Thursday

Posted at 10:04 PM, Oct 18, 2016
and last updated 2017-07-19 21:49:41-04

The Patterson Mill community continues to mourn the death of football player Isaac Pfarr who passed away suddenly Sunday.

Isaac was a member of the Patterson Mill High School football team, the Bel Air Police Department Explorer Program and the Young Marines of Jarrettsville.

“His love for life and others was remarkable,” his father Rob said.

Isaac, who just celebrated his birthday Oct. 7, had epilepsy. His father believes after attending the homecoming dance Saturday, he forgot to take his medication and had a seizure in his sleep.

Sunday night, the Patterson Mill community hosted a candlelight vigil in his honor. More than 300 students attended. And his number, 57 was illuminated by tea lights.

Isaac loved football. He played right guard for the Patterson Mill Huskies. Rob said Isaac loved being a part of a team and knowing that someone was always there to support him.

“He found a home and fell in love with Patterson Mill football,” Rob said.

This season was Isaac’s first on varsity with Huskies head coach Steve Lurz. Coach said he was a competitor and always played hard.

“He was kind of fiery and a little bit hard-headed, but you love to have him around,” coach Lurz said.

In addition to his passion for football, Isaac enjoyed being part of a group. He had been a part of the Bel Air Police Department’s Explorer Post No. 9010 for the past year. He initially joined as a way to satisfy his school’s community service requirements, but then fell in love with the program.

The program’s supervisor First Officer Rick Krause said he was a kid who cared for his family and his friends.

“He was a gentle giant who was fun to be around,” Krause said.

Krause believed Isaac wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who is a Bel Air police officer. He said Isaac will always be a part of the Explorers and they’re working on ways to commemorate him at the department.

The department and the entire Harford County community have pulled together in support of the Pfarr family. The Explorers started a GoFundMePage and donated $2,000.

Rob said the community support has been overwhelming and he’s so grateful.

“I’m a police officer and I’m a fixer. I’m used to helping people fix their problems, but this is one that I can’t fix alone,” he said.

His biggest request to the community? Share your stories of Isaac.

“Please come and tell us stories. Help us remember the good times so we can get through the bad,” Rob said.

For his birthday, Isaac was given $250 from his family members. Rob said they’re donating the money to the Athletic Boosters because he would have wanted to support his football team.

Thursday night, the Huskies take the field against Rising Sun without their starting right guard. Coach Lurz said for the first offensive snap, he’s only sending 10 guys onto the field, leaving Isaac’s spot open for him.

“Then they just want to compete and get a win for him,” coach said.

Rob said he and his wife will be attending Thursday’s game and the others after that.

“He loved it so much, we’re not going to miss any other games,” he said.

Isaac will forever be No. 57 for the Huskies. He’s to be buried in his football jersey.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, 610 West MacPhail Road, Bel Air MD 21014 on Friday, Oct. 21, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. where a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at the Angel Hill Cemetery, Havre de Grace, MD.

“He had the biggest, most generous I heart I have ever known,” Rob said. “He was an amazing young man, even more amazing than my wife and I had even realized.”