'Logan Coyle Court' in Port Washington honors 10-year-old boy taken by liver cancer

Members of a tight-knit Port Washington community laughed, smiled and cried at a street naming ceremony Sunday as they shared memories of a resilient 10-year-old who touched hearts and loved to bring people together.

Officials bestowed upon the quiet residential street, Essex Court, the additional title of Logan Coyle Court, after a boy who was, by all accounts, a key part of the fabric of the neighborhood but died in June of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer.

About 100 people, ranging from neighbors to former teachers, nurses, social workers, police and firefighters, gathered at the intersection where Logan caught the school bus and, under cover of yellowing oaks on a brilliant fall afternoon, to unveil the new street sign.

His mother, Rebecca Coyle, told the crowd her son was a keen observer, good listener and sharp wit who loved to bring smiles to people’s faces.

"He would see [a neighbor] in the morning, suited up for a day in the city and greet him with a loud ‘Good morning, have a great day!’ And then, with that same enthusiasm, he'd turn to the bunnies in our yard and deliver the very same message. And again to the garbage men," Coyle recalled.

Monsignor Robert Clerkin of St. Peter of Alcantara Roman Catholic Church in Port Washington, where the family worships, described Logan as a "joyful little man," and officials like Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena spoke glowingly of the elementary student some called "the mayor of Essex Court."

Also in attendance: team mascots Johnny Thunderbird from St. John's University, Owen the Panther from SUNY Old Westbury and the Viking from the Port Washington School District. Logan developed a love of mascots early on, according to family and friends.

"There is something about a mascot that immediately brings a smile to your face. I truly believe that was what Logan loved so much about them — he loved making people smile," said Town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, whom the Coyle family credited for providing support after Logan fell ill.

Among Logan’s favorite mascots was Swoop of the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite football team — whose logo is also emblazoned on the honorary street sign.

Following Logan’s hospitalization, children in the neighborhood organized a car wash to raise money, according to Joanna Ruttner, whose children were friends with Logan.

"I think it's a way that they could feel involved in a really complicated and hard situation," Ruttner said.

Paige Gorodetzky, a social worker at Columbia Children’s Hospital in Manhattan, where Logan received treatment for hepatoblastoma, said he "never once complained. He never said, ‘Why me?’ He never said, ‘This is horrible.’ He just like went through it with grace."

Morgan Bieler, a pediatric oncology nurse at the Manhattan hospital, said Logan loved to crack jokes, like when doctors or nurses poked and prodded him.

"He would look at the doctors and say, "Did I invite you to my barbecue?" And they'd be like, "No," and he'd say, "Then why are you all up in my grill?" she recalled. "He was very witty for a 10-year old."

Riley Coyle, 10, Logan’s twin sister, told the crowd her brother "loved this neighborhood because there are so many fun spots to play, and there are so many great friends to spend time with. ... We loved taking walks around the neighborhood together because we would always run into a lot of people walking their dogs and our friends."

"Logan would love having the street named after him," she said.