Family who lost son contributing to the Tournament of Roses Parade, Boulder, Colorado

written by: Jeffrey Wolf | 9News NBC Colorado

BOULDER - A family who lost their son in a tragic accident is celebrating his life, and the lives of dozens of others, who were saved by their son's organ donations.

Jared Lamirato was 20 years old when a head injury ended his life last December. His heart, kidney and other organs were given to several people across Colorado.

Justin Greene was suffering from congestive heart failure when he received Lamirato's heart. He says it was bittersweet.

"If something bad has to happen they're glad that something good can come out of it. I'll always appreciate the gift and I'll never forget, obviously," Greene said.

"When I first met Justin I asked him, 'I have to hear his heartbeat,' and Justin was so cool and he's like, 'You bet you can listen to this heart.' And I put my ears right up and I listened and it was amazing," Mary Lamirato, Jared's mother, said.

In Boulder on Tuesday, the Lamiratos put the finishing touches on a photo of Jared that will be placed on a float in the Tournament of RosesParade. The Donate Life float celebrates lives touched by organ donation.