Justin Sy Kane

Justin was born to Jerry and Karen Kane in Tampa, Florida on April 18, 1982. He was a happy, loving little boy always ready to give hugs and kisses. He had an exuberance and curiosity about things; always wanting to know how everyone around him was related, where they were from and just how he fit into the mix.

As Justin grew, his interests centered around sports. He played Little League baseball and enjoyed watching football with his dad. When electronics became popular he was hooked. He would often be found playing videogames, playing poker or just cutting up with his friends. More than anything, Justin loved his family first and foremost.

Justin’s life was filled with challenges starting with a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy when he was a young teen, but he did not let that stop him from pursuing life and what it had to offer. He graduated high school and moved to Georgia with his mom. There, he pursued a college degree in IT until the age of 20 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 leukemia. He fought over the course of 5 years – chemo, complications, side effects…you name it, he had it. However difficult, he fought through it determined to survive and LIVE and that he did.

In 2009 he was pronounced cancer free and released from care. Over the next 10 years, he tried to resume school but the overall effects of his cancer took a toll and he was not able to complete that goal. Did that stop him? NO! He worked in the fast food industry, trying to establish a career. Unfortunately, the effects of his cancer and Muscular Dystrophy sidelined those attempts. Justin stayed engaged with the world despite his ailments and hung out with friends, helped care for the home he shared with his mom and other hobbies.

In August 2016 he learned that his cancer had returned and this time was not curable. As with all adversity, he faced this head-on with determination and optimism. Sadly, though he fought like a warrior, he knew this would be his final battle and made the courageous choice to live what time was left on his terms – with love and humor. Justin passed in the arms of his loving mother.

Justin Sy Kane is preceded in death by his father, Jerrald Paul “Jerry” Kane. Survivors include his mother, Karen Berkowitz Kane; grandmother, Francette Kane; uncle, Randy Kane; aunts, Cyd Rose and Allison Brown; cousins, Evelyn Garrin, Keira Oseroff and Brett Rose and many more loving family members and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Woodstock Funeral Home. A gathering will follow. The family requests that you come as you are, but if you choose, you are welcome to join them in wearing garnet and gold, the colors of his favorite football team, Florida State University.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Kidz 1st Fund 1400 Village Square Boulevard Suite 3-229 Tallahassee, Florida 32312 or kidz1stfund.com.