About 1,500 people congregated inside a Barrie Catholic Church this morning to mourn Brandon Crisp, who ran away from home and died after apparently falling from a tree.
His family, moved to tears as they followed the casket in to St Mary's Catholic Church, marveled at the number of people the 15-year-old had touched.
"Everyone that knew Brandon loved him and that's something you can't say about most people," his twin sister Samantha wrote in a letter that was read as the eulogy by a family friend.
"A huge hole has been left in our hearts with your passing son," his mom Angelika wrote.
The Barrie boy had quarrelled with his parents over his Xbox, and left on his bike Thanksgiving weekend. Thousands of people tried to find him in organized searches. His body was eventually discovered by hunters last week in a rugged area north of Barrie. An autopsy showed that his fatal injuries likely came from falling from a tree. Police have ruled out foul play.
The eulogy at the funeral was delivered by Gordon Sweetzer, a family friend who read out a series of letters from the Crisp family.
Steve Crisp thanked his son – for making them laugh, making them mad, annoying his sisters and "making us love you so much."
Brandon's older sister Natasha wrote that the Crisps would always be a family of five.
"There will always be a chair at the table for you," she wrote.
Brandon's family talked yesterday about how his death has brought them closer. They have established a foundation to help underprivledged children who want to play in organized sports.
In his homily, Father Frank McDevitt retraced the steps taken in the weeks since Brandon's disappearance, the effort and searching and hope that so many in Barrie held out for his safe return. And then, the terrible grief that set in last Wednesday when his body was found.
"Be cautious around those who tell you they know why Brandon died. Seek out those who tell you why Brandon lived."
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