A young man in Maine tragically died in an ATV crash after overcoming childhood in an orphanage and the partial amputation of his leg. 

Bruce Kennedy, 20, was riding on an ATV with his friend at around 2pm on August 15 when the pair lost control and crashed in Piscataquis County. 

They had been near Wadleigh Pond when Kennedy failed to follow a curve in the road and lost control. Investigators said that he had not been wearing a helmet, and had been speeding, the Portland Press Herald reported. 

Kennedy, who was set to begin studying at York County Community College, died at the scene as his family mourn the 'inspirational' young man. 

'Because he had been through so much in such a short time, he had this tough exterior he put out into the world,' his mother, Lisa Kennedy, told the outlet. 

'But deep down, he had a really big heart.' 

Kennedy spent the first two years of his childhood in an orphanage in China until he was adopted by his parents, John and Lisa Kennedy, they told the outlet.

Then, at five years old, he had his leg amputated below his knee after a birth defect gave him a lifelong limp in his right tibia, which began to worsen. 

'If anything, it made him faster,' Lisa Kennedy said. 'He just became stronger after that. He never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him. He just took it one day at a time.'

Despite losing part of his leg, Kennedy went on to become a talented wrestler as well as a football and lacrosse player at Noble High School.

Noble Wrestling, Kennedy's wrestling team for three seasons, wrote that 'each practice he impressed us even more with his constant positive attitude and effort.'

'He was an incredible example of this sport being for every body no matter what the circumstances were. When the team would sprint he’d do push ups, pull ups, rope climbs or whatever it took to put his best effort forward,' the team added. 

'He was a great partner, teammate and friend to many. We are forever grateful for what he showed us over his three seasons with us.'

'He would always find a way to make things work,' his mother continued, recalling how the young man began to wear cowboy boots that struggled to fit over his prosthetic. 

Instead of giving up and opting for a different shoe, Kennedy cut the front of his right boot and tied a shoelace around his shin to keep the boot on, she told the outlet. 

Evan Thompson, a friend of Kennedy's, described him as always being the 'fearless kid.'

'If you jumped off a bridge, he'd jump off a bridge,' he told the outlet. 

His family and friends remembered Kennedy as a helpful person who was quick to lend a hand to anyone in need, the Herald reported. 

Thompson said he would stack firewood and help fix Thompson's father's log splitter when it broke down.

CNC Roadway Solutions, Kennedy's former employer, said that he had been one of their 'most dedicated sweeper wash boy we could have ever asked for.'

'But more importantly, he was someone very special to all of us,' the company wrote on Facebook. 

'We could always count on Bruce showing up at the shop, ready to wash sweepers, even on his days off. And if you knew Bruce/saw Bruce anywhere, you knew his everyday attire usually included that brand new CNC shirt.'

'His dedication to CNC was like no other, for reference he even wore a CNC shirt underneath his cap and gown at his high school graduation, “just incase after he had to come wash a sweeper or 2” he said,' the company continued. 

Kennedy's 'CNC Family' said the news of his passing 'has been incredibly hard for all of us to process.'

'We are so thankful for every laugh, every memory, every sweeper he washed, and every random day he showed up at the shop to help out just because he wanted to be there,' they wrote.

'Bruce, you were truly one of a kind, and you will be missed more than words can say. Thank you for all the memories, buddy. Rest easy.'

Kennedy's father said that he used to spend time as a child taking his toys apart and working out how they functioned when put back together. 

The soon-to-be college student was set on pursuing a career in welding, which his mother said would have been a perfect fit for him.

'Bruce had an amazing knack for working on engines. He was a very gifted mechanic whose buddies looked for his expertise to help them fix up their rides,' his obituary said. 

Susan Guy-Gebhardt, the mother of a longtime friend of Kennedy's, wrote on Facebook: 'I am at a loss for words!!! Bruce you have been friends with Kendra since 1st Grade you graduated together I just saw you this week at the house . Fly High Bruce. You will always be remembered.'

Calob Hartnett, a friend of Kennedy's, wrote on social media that 'even with one leg you made the world a better place.'

'Every room you walked into you lit up with your smile and laugh,' Hartnett said. 

'How I would kill to work on a Truck with you again would trade the world for it bro it hurts a lot you helped me be a better person and got me out of the trouble I used to be in and gave me a place to stay and only wanted better for me.

'You will never be forgotten for how many people you have helped even when there was no reward just did it out of the kindness of your heart.'

According to his obituary, Kennedy 'did everything fast, was very high spirited and strong-willed. He was well respected and loved by all of his fellow classmates, teammates, coaches and teachers.'

'Bruce will be forever loved and missed' by his family and friends, the page said.