MAHWAH, NJ - The community is rallying around the family of a 16-year-old Mahwah boy who passed away from sudden heart failure.

A fundraiser effort to help Marcus Kayal's family cover funeral expenses has already raised $63,755, as of Thursday afternoon. Click here for the GoFundMe campaign. Kayal, a Mahwah High School student and athlete, died on Dec. 27, leaving behind his parents, George and Deborah, and siblings, Jordan, James, Michael and Joseph,according to his obituary.

The teen, who was particularly fond of playing soccer, is being remembered for his athletic skills, as well as leadership skills and good attitude. Fran Perez described the teen as an example "for teammates, leaders and role model to all the people around."

Benji Tucker wrote he and Kayal would often train together while playing sports and "the main thing I will never forget about him is the smile he always had on his face. Jim and Parinaz Cole recalled how their son played soccer with Kayal when they were young. "He always said Marcus was a great teammate and friend," they said.