Falmouth Crash Victim Remembered As Passionate Athlete

FALMOUTH, MA — Chase Soares, 23, a former all-star basketball player at Falmouth High School, died Feb. 15 in a car crash near Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne. Soares was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 15, 1996, to Brooke and Norman DeBarros.

Soares grew up in Wareham and attended elementary and middle school before moving to Falmouth and continuing his academic and athletic career. During his senior year, he was selected to the Cape & Islands All-star team and received the MVP award. In the summer, he was a volunteer coach at basketball camp to the youth of Falmouth and the surrounding towns. Soares went on to play college basketball at Southern Maine Community College and then Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

"Chase's love of the sport inspired many young kids in Falmouth," Soares' family wrote in his obituary. "We were fortunate enough to be able to attend all his games from elementary school through college; memories we will cherish forever. He was an all-round athlete, excelling in every sport, but he will always be our favorite all-star basketball player."

Soares graduated from Falmouth High School in 2014 and started his college studies that fall at Southern Maine Community College, where he earned his associate degree in sports business management. During his two years at the school, Soares was a starter and received several sports-related accolades.

In 2017, Soares helped lead the Seawolves to a Yankee Small College Conference title. In the semifinals, Soares scored 32 points with nine 3-pointers and vaulted the team into the finals. The Seawolves went on to win the conference championship and Soares won the "Offensive Player Award" for the tournament.

The Seawolves then headed to the USCCA national basketball championship tournament. In the the Seawolves' consolation game against Villa Maria, Soares recorded 14 assists, which still stands as a tournament record.

"Chase was just the kind of kid that would light up a room when he walked in," John Morgan, one of Soares' coaches at Southern Maine, told the Cape Cod Times. "He was a phenomenal person and someone people looked up to a lot."

Outside of basketball, Soares also enjoyed football, baseball, skiing and camping. His family said he earned a lot of nicknames over the years including Smores, Dribble and Wheels. Soares also liked to travel, make beats and rap with his friends and spend time with his family.

Soares also left his brother Brayden Debarros, of Falmouth, brother Scott Soares, of Mashpee, Brittany Barros, of Washington D.C., and Joshua and Jocelyn DeBarros, of Wareham. He was the grandson of Susan and Richard Lopes, of Falmouth, Joyce Soares of New Bedford, Norman DeBarros Sr. of Falmouth, Gloria Casey of Mashpee and Pauline DeBarros (deceased) of Falmouth. He also leaves his aunts Rachel Lopes and Kristina Pelletier (Chad), both of Falmouth; cousins: Milteer, Aliyah, Jayce, Jaxon, Blake and Layla; and many other extended family and friends.

"Chase will always remain a great brother to Brayden, son to a proud mom and dad, and loving friend to all whose lives he touched," his family wrote in the obituary. "His giant smile will be deeply missed by all. May his soul rest and remain in peace with his God. We love you, Chase."

Visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m to 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home at 475 Main St. in Falmouth. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24 at St. Anthony’s Church at 167 E. Falmouth Highway in East Falmouth. The burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Chase Soares Basketball Fund, Acct #601400327, c/o Eastern Bank, 815 Main Street, Falmouth, Massachusetts.