Every time kids play at The Marcus Gomez Community Field at the Waterside Children’s Studio School on Beach 112th Street, the field’s namesake will be smiling down on them. On Thursday, June 25, the field was officially dedicated in memory of the 9-year-old boy who died in December.
Marcus Antonio Gomez was a bright, kind, loving boy who had a love for animals, video games, playing with friends and enjoying the outdoors. On December 5, Marcus Gomez died unexpectedly after a short battle with bacterial meningitis, leaving his family, friends and fellow classmates and staff at the Waterside School in mourning. But since that tragic loss, they’ve been doing all they can to make sure Marcus is always remembered.
On Wednesday, June 24, during Waterside Children’s Studio School’s 2026 graduation, a student was presented with the very first Marcus Gomez Character Award. “This award recognizes a student who consistently demonstrates kindness, responsibility and compassion towards others. This student leads by example, always has a positive attitude and makes a difference in our school community each day,” Waterside Principal Dana Gerendasi said before presenting the award to Bella Vergara.
On Thursday, the student body and staff joined the family of the late Marcus Gomez, including his parents, Robert and Dorothy Gomez and his siblings, for a bittersweet ceremony to cut the ribbon on the outdoor play space that will now, and forever be called, The Marcus Gomez Community Field. “As a school, a family, we always want his memory to be kept alive,” Waterside counselor Bernadette McCann said. “If you knew Marcus, you knew he was bright and energetic, he loved the outdoors, and any sport, he excelled at, so we figured a field in his memory would be the best way to remember him, and any time our students or anyone from the community stops by, we hope they feel his presence and love.”
At the ceremony, students had made little signs in memory of Marcus to hang around the field, while the school put up a temporary plaque that will make way for an official plaque bearing the new name. “We are gathered to celebrate a very special place. From this day forward, this field will officially be known as The Marcus Gomez Community Field!” Principal Gerendasi said. “When we think of Marcus, we remember his bright smile, his kindness and the joy he brought to our hallways and classrooms. He loved to play, he loved his friends, and he taught us all what it means to be a great classmate. A school field like ours is a place for laughter, for running fast and crazy, of course, and for making friendships that will last a lifetime. That is exactly why naming this field after Marcus is so special.
“Marcus brought joy wherever he went, and this field will now keep that joy alive for every student that steps into it. All of our Waterside students, when you run on this field, from now on, for years to come, when you play games with your friends and when you laugh together at recess, you are keeping Marcus’ spirit alive. Let this be a place where we always lift each other up, share our ideas and look out for one another. To the Gomez family, thank you for sharing Marcus with us. He will always be part of our school and his name will forever be a beautiful part of this school and this campus. So, with love in our hearts and beautiful memories in our minds, we dedicate The Marcus Gomez Community Field to the Rockaway Park community. May it always be a place of laughter, friendship and play.”
Marcus’ father, Robert, also addressed the crowd. “Today we remember the person that Marcus was. But more importantly, the impression that he left behind with all of us. His love for the outdoors and his love for playing and having fun with other people is what we celebrate. It’s a beautiful thing to see how many teachers and students really enjoyed his presence,” Robert Gomez said. “This soccer field is a testament of the memory that will stay with all of us for as long as this soccer field remains here. So, every time you guys come outside, look up at the sun shining, take a breath, and smile. Marcus is smiling back at you.”
As the ribbon was cut on the field, the students screamed “We love you, Marcus!”, followed by a chant of “Marcus, Marcus, Marcus,” loud enough for Marcus to hear above.
