Family of Gabriel Comeau thanks public for support following cadet’s death in N.S.

The family of a teen who died earlier this month at a cadet training centre in Nova Scotia is thanking the public for the love and support they’ve received in the past two weeks.

Cadet Gabriel Comeau, 13, died on Tues. Aug. 5 at the Greenwood Cadet Training Centre.

“We would like to thank everyone for their love, support and comfort over the last two weeks,” wrote Comeau’s family in a statement.

“Gabriel was part of such an incredible community that has pulled together for us in our time of greatest need. Gabriel had a gift to light up any room with his smile, and his light has never shone brighter than we’ve seen during this time,” the family’s statement read.

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According to the statement released by Comeau’s family on Wednesday, the teen had suffered a “sudden and severe asthma attack that had no warning.”

On Aug. 5, Capt. Liam Mather said Comeau complained of feeling ill. He had been participating in a summer sports and fitness program for air cadets.

A fellow cadet and staff member called 911 after noticing he was in medical distress.

Comeau was taken to the 14 Wing Greenwood medical clinic then transferred to Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, where he was later pronounced dead.

His family said that the asthma attack could have happened anywhere and they were thankful it happened at the training centre as it meant he received immediate medical care.

According to his family, Comeau joined Air Cadets when he was 12 years old, after watching his brothers participate.

“He loved being a part of the program and wanted to take in every inch of what Cadets offered.”

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Comeau’s death was not training related, however because it happened on DND property, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service will investigate it.

“Gabriel would never want this to be used as an excuse to exclude youth with pre-existing health concerns from organizations and activities such as Cadets and Cadet Training Centres. He had a passion for all activities from Cadets to music, to fishing and friends. Gabe loved that he could do whatever he set his mind to and be part of the fun in life,” said his family.

With files from Global News’ Julia Wong and Rhonda Brown