AUBURN — Zachary Thomas Johnson wanted to graduate from Edward Little High School —  and graduate he did, just two weeks ago with the Class of 2016.

He wanted to become a police officer and, just a few months ago, he was made an honorary member of the Portland Police Department.

Zach wanted a garden in his backyard so in early May, one of his teachers and several classmates got together and made it happen.

He did much with his life — seemingly ignoring the pressing knowledge that it might come to an end at any time.

After a three-year battle with cancer, Zach died on Tuesday, leaving friends and family to mourn his passing, but also to celebrate his unrelenting spirit.

“He had all of these future goals, knowing that he had a fight for his life at the same time,” said Auburn School Superintendant Katy Grondin. “It was inspirational. His courage and perseverance through his illness was definitely something that will stay with me. He was so brave.”

Zach was diagnosed in 2013 with metastatic Ewing sarcoma, an adolescent cancer. He was 15 at the time.

A member of the EL marching band and a First-Class Boy Scout, Zach didn’t let the diagnosis slow him down, friends said. Instead, Zach rallied — and the community rallied around him. The motto “Zach Strong” was born and according to those who knew him, those weren’t empty words.

“Never once, during this whole thing, did he say, ‘Why? Why me?'” said Aaron Johnson, Zach’s father. “There was just no ‘give up’ in that kid. He didn’t see the negative side of any of it.”

Those who knew him agree on one thing: The always-sunny disposition allowed Zach to continually baffle his doctors and to live long enough to do the things he wanted to do.

“If he had not had that attitude,” his father said, “we would have lost him a long time ago.”

In August 2014, Zach relapsed. Two tumors were found in his head and doctors suggested that his life expectancy might be down to just months.

But instead, Zach lived — for years. There was more he wanted to do.

Zach wanted to participate in The Dempsey Challenge, and he did. He wanted to go to Washington, D.C. and lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery and he did that, too.

When Zach graduated with the EL Class of 2016 two weeks ago, he arranged for wheelchair transport to take him to the ceremony. Auburn police provided an escort for the teen — but the real drama came when Zach rolled out onto the stage.

The applause was thunderous, according to those who attended the ceremony. Many in the audience wept with admiration and affection.

“That kid was so special,” said EL English teacher Candy Gleason. “He barely had the strength to even be there — yet there he was, smiling, talking to everybody… His spirit was just so heartwarming to behold. He was just an incredible, incredible kid.”

Mike Dunn, Zach’s guidance counselor at EL said he wasn’t just proud of the teen, he was inspired by him.

“He was a role model for me, I’ll tell you that,” Dunn said. “I’m a better man for having known Zach.”

Like so many others, Dunn notes the courage of, not just Zach, but his family as well.

“Zach was a unique human being,” Dunn said. “He was a young man with a positive spirit and a great attitude. He was excited about life. Through all of his trials and tribulations, he kept that positive attitude.

“The tremendous courage that Zach showed,” he said. “Members of his family showed it, too — throughout all of this.”

While Zach faced his own battles, those who knew him say he never hesitated to help others.

Auburn parent Kenneth Mansur has seen Zach’s selflessness up close.

“He has selflessly given his time, patience and friendship to my son, Kyle,” Mansure wrote in a Facebook tribute to Zach. “Knowing firsthand of Kyle’s challenges, he took it upon himself to ensure he had a good transition into high school, especially in marching band where they performed in the percussion pit together. He will be strongly missed.”

Sue Dorris, principal at East Auburn Community School where Zach spent his early years, said his beaming spirit began long before he became ill.

“He was always an amazing kid,” Dorris said. “He left an impression on everyone he came in contact with. He was always kind to others. He was just an all-around great kid and everybody loved him.”

Dorris went to see Zach graduate from EL in early June. She said it was clear that he wasn’t feeling his best for the event, but his sickness didn’t dampen his enthusiasm, or his gratitude.

“He wanted to thank everyone for what they had done to help him,” Dorris said. “He was always so appreciative, always lifting others up.”

In his final days, Zach had to accept that he was going to succumb, according to his father. And he accepted it with his usual grace.

“He didn’t get mad,” Aaron Johnson said. “He didn’t get upset. He was able to come to terms with the fact that he was dying. He understood. And that gave us the opportunity for some fantastic conversations. It was so nice. There’s nothing at all that we didn’t get to say to him. There are absolutely no regrets.”

Zach twice received the Courage Award at EL, an award that will now be named in his honor. Jot it down as just one more achievement in Zach’s short but busy life.

“He did it all with such grace and he inspired a lot of people,” Aaron Johnson said. “He made his mark.”