Newport boy, 7, was a team player

CORONA DEL MAR — One of Carson Bosley’s favorite sports was baseball.

You hear a lot about saves in baseball. Rarely does it mean anything.

Last week, the 7-year-old Bosley saved six lives.

Like any parents, Jamie and Kelly Bosley were proud of their boy.

Those benefiting from Bosley’s organs will never get the chance to thank him in person.

Close to 875 people came to Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Wednesday to pay respect to Bosley, who died July 29 after a stroke.

Bosley touched so many lives in such a short time.

For three hours, family, friends, teachers, schoolmates, coaches and teammates celebrated his life and his love for sports.

Several came to the one-hour Mass in their favorite sports team jersey. Some kids wore their Newport Beach Little League outfits, cleats, too.

Families like the Christmans dressed their two boys in jerseys and two girls in cheerleading outfits from Bosley’s favorite college football team and his father’s alma mater, USC.

The Christmans root for Penn State on Saturdays.

On Wednesday, the parents showed how big a part Bosley played in their children’s lives.

“Our family and the Bosleys had a tradition,” said Gina Christman, Bosley’s godmother. “We went down to a beach in Corona del Mar a couple of Sundays a month when the weather was warm. Boys playing Wiffle ball and jailbreak, [those are] our most treasured memory with them.”

The one that will stay with many attending the Mass and reception is how Bosley helped others live.

Whether it was on the Newport Beach Little League field, or off it, Jamie, 41, said his son was a team player. Jamie is hoping it rubs off on his 3-year-old daughter, Quinn.

Jamie said Bosley died from an arteriovenous malformation, a tangle of blood vessels that bled into his brain and caused brain damage.

Christman said Bosley’s parents decided to keep him on life support at Children’s Hospital of Orange County to make it possible to donate his organs. In all, Jamie said six of his son’s organs were donated, a rarity in this country.

“They get three of those a year,” Jamie said. “Some of the organs went up to [Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at] Stanford, some of the organs went to the Children’s Hospital [Los Angeles], and some of the organs went to a hospital in Texas.

“Knowing that he’s given life, the opportunity for a life for a family that really [had] no hope … helps starting the healing process sooner.”

It has been a struggle for everyone, from Bosley’s 43-year-old police officer uncle Patrick Dolan to 7-year-old friend and classmate Taylor Morales, not having Bosley around.

“[I’m going to] miss him coming over to our house and starting to play in our jungle gym, riding our bikes, playing in the streets,” said Morales, wearing a No. 11 USC home jersey over a white dress. “He was very playful.”

Jamie almost never made it to Our Lady Queen of Angels, where his son would’ve been a second-grader.

He rehearsed the five-page eulogy the night before, and again in the morning. He felt fine until noon, two hours before the Mass began.

Kelly, 42, asked her husband if he was OK.

“No,” Jamie said. “I didn’t know if I could make it to the actual ceremony. But when I got here to the church, it was just a calming effect.

“I think he would’ve wanted me to do it. I’m thankful I was able to do it.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.