Luke Nighswander, 17

Beloved son, brother, and grandson, Luke Nighswander, 17, of Brooklyn, New York, died Aug. 20, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston after complications following a cardiac arrest on Lake Winnipesaukee on Aug. 13.

Luke is survived by his mother, Sara Marentette, originally of Portland, Oregon; his father, Matthew Nighswander, originally of Gilmanton; his sister, Cala, 14; and his twin brothers, Henry and Walker, 10. He is also survived by his heartbroken grandparents, Ann and Bill Marentette ("Papa and Situ") of Portland, Oregon, and Margaret Nighswander of Gilmanton; his uncles, Eric Marentette of Portland, Oregon, and Jonathan Nighswander of Vienna, Austria, and Jon's wife, Hilary. He is predeceased by his grandfather, Warren Nighswander. 

A lifelong, proud Brooklynite, Luke was attending Oliverian School in Pike, where he was flourishing. He was cherished for his biting wit and dry sense of humor, his empathetic nature, and his thirst for knowledge. Luke traveled with his mother to Lebanon this summer, where he studied at the American University of Beirut and connected with kids of Lebanese ancestry from around the world. Luke was a guiding force in the lives of his siblings; he was supportive, hilarious, silly, and a trusted confidante. He was deeply attached to his dog, Stacey, and his two cats, Moon and Monet.

In lieu of flowers, donations to create the Luke Nighswander Memorial Scholarship can be made at the Oliverian School as a Memorial to Luke Nighswander at oliverianschool.networkforgood.com.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral, Brooklyn, New York.