The Danny Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by friends and family of a young man whose short life touched many people. This Scholarship honors Danny’s life — his love of sports and music, his courage in the face of adversity, his commitment to family and community.

Daniel S. “Danny” Williams was born on March 22, 1992, the son of Gail and Stephen, and brother of Brian. He attended Horace Mann Elementary School and Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Danny played baseball in the Incarnation and Babe Ruth Leagues, and participated in several Melrose youth basketball programs. He was a junior member at Mount Hood Golf Course, and a faithful member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish. In September of Danny’s freshman year at Melrose High School, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Danny died on October 25, 2008, after months of grueling treatment and extensive surgery.

Danny had a promising future at Melrose High School and beyond. He was a diligent student, a proud member of the trumpet section in the MHS Marching Band, and a passionate member of the MHS Golf Team. When he became ill, he maintained the positive attitude and sense of humor that teachers, coaches, and classmates admired throughout his life.

As long hospital stays forced frequent absences from school, Danny persevered with his studies and trumpet. After debilitating surgery on his leg prevented his return to many of the sports he had always loved, Danny worked hard to return to the golf course and kept the books for the MHS Baseball Team. Even as treatments at Dana Farber/Children’s Hospital were not working for him, Danny stepped up as spokesman on the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon in hopes to raise money and awareness of the need for new clinical trials to cure cancer.

It is this ever present smile and positive spirit for which Danny is remembered.