Westerly — Dorian Murray, the 8-year-old local boy suffering from terminal cancer who gained international fame this year after saying he wanted to become famous before he died, passed away late Tuesday night.

His death was announced by a family friend on the Praying for Dorian Facebook page.

“To all of the amazing followers of beautiful Dorian. I am posting on behalf of Melissa and Chris due to the families difficult and emotional night,” read the post. “It is with a very heavy heart that I share this news. Dorian J. Murray (‪#‎dstrong‬) has gained his beautiful angel wings tonight and is now pain free. He was surrounded by people who love him and his transition to heaven was very peaceful. He was embraced by both mom and dad.”

As of 6:20 p.m., the post announcing his death had generated 8,277 comments, more than 25,000 reactions and 13,203 shares,

Dorian’s health had taken a turn for the worse last week while he was visiting his grandparents in Florida, forcing him and his family to return home early. More than 200 people then held a candlelight vigil in Wilcox Park Sunday night.

His mother, Melissa Murray, had posted on social media in recent days that her son was nearing the “end of life” and asked people to pray for him.

“This is so hard. Sitting here, watching Dorian slip away is torture. Every breath he takes could be his last, every sound he makes may be the last time I hear his little voice. He said my name twice yesterday, it made me smile,” she posted Monday.

She also announced that she and Dorian had founded the Dorian J. Murray Foundation, a pending nonprofit foundation to not only “keep the #dstrong‬movement alive forever” but to bring awareness to pediatric cancer.

She said the foundation will raise funds for organizations involved in pediatric cancer research and support the families of children diagnosed with cancer.

The foundation will offer information for newly diagnosed families, including where they can find additional financial and emotional support.

She said the foundation has “already started collaborating with local companies on some very exciting campaigns” and more details will released shortly.

For those who would like to donate before the website is up and running, checks can be made out to Dorian J. Murray Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1225, Westerly, R.I. 02891.

When Dorian and his parents, decided to discontinue his treatment for terminal cancer after New Year’s Day, the third grader at Springbrook Elementary School said he had just one wish — he wanted to be famous.

Even, he told his parents, as far away as the Great Wall of China, which he called the big bridge.

What started as a few posts by family and friends about his wish exploded into a wave of social media support for Dorian led by the hashtag #DStrong.

One photo, “#dstrong — You’re famous in China” was quickly posted from the Great Wall.

Thousands of messages of support have come not just from Westerly and Stonington, where his father, Chris, is a police officer, but from countries across the globe.

Global news organizations such as CBS News and the BBC have done stories about him.

Celebrities posted their support on Twitter.

New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski came to Westerly to have dinner with Dorian, and team owner Robert Kraft sent a limousine to take him and his parents to Gillette Stadium, where they sat in a luxury box for a Patriots playoff game.

Signs of #dstrong in blue letters are plastered on the front of businesses, homes, schools, fire stations and police departments throughout the community.

j.wojtas@theday.com