Willet community comes together after sudden death of 7-year-old boy

WILLET, N.Y. – A community is mourning the loss of 7-year-old Talan Sustad, of Willet, who died suddenly on Saturday.

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Talan, who was known affectionately as "Buzzy", attended second grade at Cincinnatus Elementary School, where he loved to play soccer, according to his obituary.

In the small community of Willet, the news of Talan's death spread quickly. Dozens of people have posted pictures of themselves getting a mohawk on a Facebook page titled "Mohawks for Talan" in remembrance of the boy who always sported the haircut.

Two very important people to Talan. His dad and his uncle. Thank you to everyone who has and plans on contributing!

Posted by Mohawks for Talan on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Talan had recently been diagnosed with Leukemia, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family's funeral expenses. More than $6,000 has been raised since the page was created Saturday.

The Cincinnatus School District closed for the day Wednesday, according to an official in the superintendent's office. Funeral services were held at the Willet Fire Station Wednesday afternoon.

The family had requested that attendants wear soccer-related clothing at the funeral service. Talan had dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, according to his obituary.

Talan is survived by his parents, Lisa and Thomas Sustad, Jr.; and his sisters, Kyla and Kendall Sustad.

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