‘Luca gave the amazing gift of life to three people’
A COLOURFUL funeral will be held for an 11-yearold boy with a “zest for life” who died from a rare illness that only affects 75 people in the world.
Luca Pucella, from Bridgend, was diagnosed with Rohhad syndrome after rapidly putting on weight when he was two.
Rohhad stands for rapid-onset obesity with hypothalmic dysfunction, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation.
Luca’s parents Angelo and Beth Pucella said the funeral on December 13 will be “colourful”.
They said: “Luca would want that, he did not like black.”
Luca died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in the early hours of November 25 after suffering a seizure two days earlier.
With no hope of recovery, his parents Beth and Angelo decided to donate his organs to save three lives including a child.
Luca’s parents said that all are welcome to the funeral and donations will be collected for the Rohhad Association.
Beth, a nurse, posted on Facebook following Luca’s death: “It is with a very heavy heart that we are giving consent for Luca’s organs to be donated and give the gift of life to others.
“In his short life Luca has touched so many lives, made so many smile and laugh, he will live forever in hearts and memories.
“Today is going to be the hardest day of our lives, I just want the world to know how immensely proud and privileged we are to be Luca’s parents. We love him more than life itself. My handsome, handsome boy, I love you.”
Dad Angelo, a teacher, wrote: “Our beautiful, handsome Luca joined the angels at 12.48am today, one month after celebrating his 11th birthday.
“His parting gift was to give the amazing gift of life to a known three people (one of whom we know is a child), with the potential to save others pending further tests.
“We have lost one of our two reasons to live.
“Luca touched so very many lives and your written or photographic memoirs would be very much appreciated.”
Luca’s parents thanked Ybont, Ty Hafan, the community nursing team, the children’s ward and all of the staff at the Princess of Wales Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales, Noah’s ark, Make a Wish, the Air Ambulance and the Rohhad Association and “anyone else who has been involved in Luca’s life”.
The funeral will be at St Mary’s Church, Coity, at 12.15pm followed by a service by a service at Coychurch, Bridgend, crematorium at 1.15pm followed by an after party celebration at the Heronston Hotel, Bridgend.