Memorial for Kaden Young

In Orangeville, many friends and family gathered to say their goodbyes to three-year-old Kaden Young at a public celebration of life, two weeks after his body was found in the Grand River.

Mourners say it was a somber service, with many tears shed, and memories shared. A time to remember a little boy taken too soon.

Michelle Hanson was with her son Kaden Young as they drove past a road closure sign one night back in February, when the Grand River swelled higher than it had in years, and flooded the streets. Their van was swept into the river and Kaden was ripped from his mother’s arms by the rushing water.

For two months, hundreds of volunteers as well as the Ontario Provincial Police, combed through the river and its banks searching for any sign of Kaden.Saturday at Compass Church near Orangeville, many of those volunteers, who do not the know the family personally, came to grieve.

OPP Constable Paul Nancekivell says this tragedy has been especially difficult, for the officers who were out searching.

“Us finding him, having to deal with him, having to bring him out of the water ourselves, I was one of the ones involved. Its tough. Its not something you want to see. No one wants to see a 3 year old child lose their life. ” Nancekivell said.

Family, friends, as well as first responders, have a long journey ahead, but say they will always remember Kaden as a happy, loving boy.

Kaden’s parents did not want to speak to the media, but we learned from mourners that videos of the little boy were shared during the service, and his mother shared fond memories of her son, like going to the zoo to see his favourite animals.