Dyllan Burrell "Dylano"

“Those we love can never be more than a thought away—for as long as there’s a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.” Kind, caring, humble, funny, wise beyond his years, athletic, respectable, born-again. These are a few of the words used by family, friends, neighbors, and teachers to describe Dyllan Reign Burrell. Dyllan was the first son of Tracy Grant and Otis Burrell. Born 9:52 PM on Sunday, August 17, 2003 at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. Dyllan spent his first years in Franklin-Somerset where he attended Bright Start Daycare then Conerly Road School before he moved to North Brunswick and attended Livingston Park Elementary and Linwood Middle School. In November 2016, he moved back to the Franklin Township school system and attended Franklin Middle School and then Franklin High School. Dyllan loved sports. He played defensive end and offensive tackle for the Pop Warner team North Brunswick Indians and ASG. Dyllan also wanted pick up boxing lessons, and finally convinced his parents to allow him to take classes. He began to prepare himself by working out with his boxing reflex ball after school each evening. He loved to jog and work out with his uncle, Sandre. He also enjoyed going to the gym on weekends with his step-father Sheldon. He was competitive, and felt that he could run faster, jump higher or just go longer than anyone else or commit to try his best. Dyllan was a protector, he took his role as big brother to Gihon, Shelcy and Jaden very seriously. He taught them, fed them, bathed and dressed them. He would take initiative to assist as a disciplinarian for them as he would never hesitate to place them on timeout when they misbehaved. He would always encourage them to try new things and taught them not to be afraid. Dyllan would look them in the eye and say "You got this, now say it" and they would reply back "I got this." Those words would turn their mountains into molehills as they marched off to accomplish their tasks at hand. Dyllan went to youth retreat a few months back and came home humbly with a big smile on his face. When asked about his trip Dyllan replied, “It was good. Walking with God is not just an act of going to church. You have to really be different inside. I am going to be different; I won’t tell you how, but I will show you.” Dyllan was a part of Eternal Life Christian Center’s Youth Group and was in regular attendance with his Uncle Patrick and Grandma Una, which impacted his life positively. He loved attending summer vacation trips with his aunt Dahlia uncle Korbid and cousins. On May 8, 2018, Dyllan Reign Burrell collapsed during gym class on the Franklin High School athletic field. It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “It is not the length of life, but depth of life.” Though brief and fleeting, Dyllan’s life has etched an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to cross his paths. To Dyllan’s family and friends, “Grief, I’ve learned is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” Dyllan’s presence was a light that forces you to smile and forces you to see the good in all people. His light will never die. Dyllan leaves behind Parents: Otis & Sosanna Burrell, Sheldon & Tracy Warren. Grand Parents: Una & Patrick Gayle, Ludlow Grant, Lorraine Hyman, Sisters: Shelcy & Alyssa Brothers: Jaden, Gihon, Gregory. Aunts: Dahlia Ann, Dahlia Dawn, Keisha Gayle, Keisha Grant., Kadian, Jhovanna, Khameeka, Trojeen, Jenny & Nikki. Uncles: Patrick & Sandre, Korbid, Joshua Cousins: Melissa, James, Brendon, Arayah and Liam, Suezette, Kishmar, Destiny, Dontae, Dejon, Keandre