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Sean Archilles' mother strives to find happiness after a morning spent at son's grave

Melissa Montoya
The News-Press
Coach Matt Richard and his wife Monica say goodbye to Delina Lubin after coming to support her at a memorial celebration for her son, Sean Archilles, on Tuesday in Fort Myers. Sean was killed in the shooting at Club Blu a year ago, and family and friends gathered to remember him at the park near his family's home.

Delina Lubin woke in the morning and went to her son's grave.  

She spent two hours crying after placing flowers at the 14-year-old's resting place at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. It was her intention, she said, to get the crying out of the way early. 

By Tuesday afternoon, Lubin was in better spirits as family and former basketball team members of Sean Archilles came together at Yawkey Park in Fort Myers to celebrate the teen's life a year after he was fatally shot outside of Club Blu.

The July 25, 2016, shooting also took the life of Lehigh Acres basketball star Stef'an Strawder and injured more than a dozen others as they were leaving a party at the Evans Avenue venue. Strawder, 18, was memorialized during a prayer vigil Monday. 

More:Club Blu slaying victim's light burns on; Stef'an Strawder remembered

"I said this morning, I don't want to cry," Lubin, 38, said. "I want to make it happy."

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Delina Lubin visited her son Sean's grave and told him how much she misses him.

Happy, she said, because that's how she remembers her son. 

"Sean was funny," she said. "He liked people. He liked music."

The mass shooting has been investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department. The investigation has concluded and referred to the state attorney's office. 

More:Club Blu shooting: Two mothers grieve while the state attorney reviews police investigation

At a park near Lubin's home, friends of the teen tossed around a football as they listened to loud music. 

Sean was a member of the traveling basketball team King of Kingz and of the Crossover Youth Center at CityGate Ministries. 

Tarrance Hemingway, a 15-year-old Fort Myers High School student, remembers Sean as a good friend who wore mismatching socks. Hemingway wore his own mismatching socks — one black, one white — in Sean's honor.

"He's going to get you mad, but then he's going to make you smile either way," said Hemingway, who played on the King of Kingz team with Sean. 

Fifteen-year-old Travis Edison went to elementary school with Sean. He's now a student at Riverdale High School.

"He always showed," Edison said. "He was a good person."

Former teammates, friends and family of Sean Archilles gathered Tuesday on the one-year anniversary of his death.

The two teens said Coach Matt Richard helped the team work through Sean's death. 

"It was a little rough, but we got through it," Hemingway said. "He's in a better place."

Richard, who is the director of the Crossover Youth Center, said Sean's team members "definitely remember him in everything they do."

"Originally, it was hard for the kids," Richard said. "Some of the kids that were with him that night have felt responsible."

Richard said he has emphasized for the kids that every moment in life is precious. Sean's death has taught those to be proactive. 

"I've seen a big shift in their attitude," Richard said. "Don't let his loss go to waste."

Delina Lubin said she didn't want to cry at the celebration on Tuesday to remember her son Sean, who was killed in the Club Blu shooting a year ago.

Lubin spent the afternoon watching others enjoy the food she served. She kept her vow to try to feel happy. And she said she hopes to continue hosting the celebration in the future. 

"I'm not crying," she said. "I'm OK."