Cormac Slater O'Toole

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Cormac Slater O'Toole, who died August 24 at 11:40 am, after a four month battle with a rare form of central nervous system melanoma. Although we are terribly saddened, we have been blessed with Cormac's love, presence, and influence on our lives during his 12 years with us. Cormac loved loving: his mother Susan, his brother Connor, his father Jim, and his extended family all experienced Cormac's special bond, one will continue forever. Cormac was a rare thinker, and continual tinkerer; asking questions and thinking them through to their logical (or illogical!) end was his central hobby in all areas. He was completely at ease discussing any topic with his parents and family, and his wry sense of humor made any conversation joyful. A continual hand raiser at St. Vincent's Elementary School and an outside the box thinker, he loved science, history, social studies and historical cultures. A regular Petaluma National Little League and Petaluma Youth Soccer League participant, Cormac's attitude and humor brought smiles to his coaches, and he was extremely proud of being selected as team captain for his PYSL team last year. But Cormac's two central loves were inventing and the outdoors: whether it was Lego creations, building Fort Redwood at our house, winning the solar car contest at St. Vincent's, camping at Samuel P. Taylor and Plumas Eureka State Parks, or making an award winning robot for Fundamonium, Cormac's inquisitive nature continued to amaze. From his diagnosis in late April, we could see Cormac getting stronger physically and emotionally each day as he weathered substantial treatment. With kayaking at Spring Lake, hiking at Helen Putnam, climbing trees at Samuel P. Taylor, and rock climbing at the gym, Cormac assumed a "Take that, Cancer!" stance that continued to fortify us throughout this trial. As the community rallied around us, our collective prayers of a miracle were manifest in our Make a Wish Foundation trip to Yellowstone. Cormac felt good the whole trip, and we jammed as many experiences as we could: kayaking and fishing at Jenny Lake under the Tetons, Old Faithful under a full moon, elk, bison and grizzly sightings, and Cormac hooking into the biggest trout on the planet at sunset on Yellowstone Lake. It was like God was talking to us. Cormac's overall condition began to decline last weekend, and he was admitted to the pediatric ICU Tuesday night. He passed peacefully at 11:40 am, surrounded by his loved ones. We look back on his last four months of relatively good health, and our trip to Yellowstone in July, as a gift, and we remain in awe of his strength and courage. Please join us in prayer for Cormac and in the celebration of his life. Rosary and mass services will be held at St. Vincent's Church, 35 Liberty Street, in Petaluma. Rosary services will be Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 pm. Cormac's Celebration Mass will be Friday, August 29 at 11:00 am. Family assisted by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma.