CLARKSVILLE — Anthony Hill was known among his friends as Superman, and not just for his love of the comic book character.
"We all call him Superman because he’s the strongest person we know," said Breanna Dees, one of Mr. Hill’s closest friends.

Three and a half years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Anthony Earle Hill died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 at home, surrounded by his family. He was 17, a senior at Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School. He was born in Dearborn, Mich., on July 5, 1988.

Mr. Hill’s ordeal has been very public, as Hilltown community members banded together in the past three years to support him and his family, with money and friendship.
"He knew that he was loved," said his mother, Jackie Hill.

Early in his treatment, Mrs. Hill recalled, her son was given some positive news about his response to chemotherapy. He told the doctor he wasn’t surprised.
"He said, ‘Yeah, well I’ve got a lot of people praying for me,’" Mrs. Hill said.
The doctor, taken aback by the words spoken by a 14-year-old, responded that medical advances were probably more responsible for the upturn, Mrs. Hill said. "Anthony said, ‘I really don’t think you understand how many people I have praying for me,’" she said. "His faith had a lot to do with getting him through all of this."

Mr. Hill attended the First Baptist Church in Westerlo.

He was an active youth. He liked skateboarding and dirtbiking. Even while he was sick, Mr. Hill would take his dirtbike out for a spin on the track in his family’s yard, said his father, William Hill.
"He just had to pull over and take a break sometimes," William Hill said.

Anthony Hill was also a dedicated and fanatical follower of sports. According to his friends, he dreamed of moving to Ohio to follow the Ohio State University Buckeyes. Miss Dees became friends with him last fall, as the two closely followed their beloved Boston Red Sox while the team pursued its first World Series title in over 80 years.
"We’re huge Red Sox fans," Miss Dees said.

During his illness, Mr. Hill was able to meet some of his sports idols: the members of the New York Giants and pro skateboarder Bam Margera.
"We ate dinner with his family," Mrs. Hill said of Margera. Her son loved meeting the stars, but, Mrs. Hill said, "He would’ve taken it all away just to be healthy."

Mr. Hill’s greatest dream was just to live life like a normal teenager, his mother said. A few of his friends have been struggling with their final years of high school. Mr. Hill would encourage them, telling them how lucky they were to be able to go to school, Mrs. Hill said.

Mr. Hill was proud to have recently passed the test for his driver’s license, his family said.
At BKW on Wednesday, the day after Mr. Hill’s death, the tone was somber, said Associate Principal Fred Marcil. The school is "coping," Mr. Marcil said.

Mostly, he said, teachers and students remember Mr. Hill’s attitude.
"He was very well-liked," Mr. Marcil said. "He was just a nice kid. I can’t think of anything negative about him...He was a quiet guy, but everybody liked him."

Counselors were on hand Wednesday for grieving students and faculty and students have been gathering in groups to talk about Anthony Hill, he said. The boys’ basketball team has written his initials on their sneakers, Mr. Marcil said.
The school has participated in a number of fund-raisers for the Hill family and it will continue to do so. Soon, bracelets Anthony Hill helped design will be on sale at the school, Mr. Marcil said. They say, "Live fearlessly."

Mr. Hill’s friends remember his sense of humor. A group of them gathered Tuesday night to watch goofy home movies Mr. Hill had made.
"He’s hilarious. He’s never not smiling," Miss Dees said. In a word, she said, Anthony Hill was "amazing."
"He affected a lot of people’s lives," she said. "He’s the most positive person."
"He was always so caring about people," said his father, William Hill.

Even throughout his illness, Anthony Hill maintained his optimistic outlook, his friends and family said.
"The Lord’s just always been there with him," Mrs. Hill said.

Mr. Hill was very grateful for the support he got from the community, which ranged from a huge garage sale at BKW to a motorcycle run through the Hilltowns.
"We’re just so blessed," Mrs. Hill said.

But, the Hills weren’t the only ones who benefited from the community support. A bone-marrow drive in Mr. Hill’s honor netted 518 donors, mostly people unknown to the Hills.

The family hopes this spirit of giving—money, time, blood, and marrow—will continue as part of Mr. Hill’s legacy.
"All it takes is a little bit of blood," Mrs. Hill said. "What a great thing to be called to do—to give someone a second chance in life."

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Mr. Hill is survived by his parents, William and Jackie, and his sisters, Lindsay and Sarah, all of Clarksville.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Westerlo at 618 Route 143 in Westerlo. Interment will follow in Onesquethaw Cemetery in Clarksville.

Relatives and friends may call on Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, and Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Cancer Program, Albany Medical Center Hospital, D-7 North, Mail Code 1119, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.