EDMONTON- Family and friends of a young boy who passed away earlier this week gathered to say goodbye to him Saturday morning.
Hundreds of people came together at Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church for Omar A. Jajoy's funeral.
The seven-year-old was pronounced dead in hospital on Tuesday after he was found inside an apartment suite at 109th Street and 53rd Avenue. According to officers, Omar appeared to have drowned.
The boy's father, Florentino Jajoy, was at the service Saturday, with Omar's older sister. Friends of the family say she was visibly shaken, crying through most of the service.
Omar's uncle delivered the eulogy, thanking the community for the overwhelming support they have received. Those in attendance say he referred to Omar as a little miracle.
Following the service, mourners exited the church carrying white balloons in honour of Omar. Friends of the family say the service was extremely emotional and touching.
"It was very emotional, a lot of tears shed," said Cristian Munoz a family friend. "A lot of emotions, a lot of weeping as they said their goodbyes to Omar."
"(It was) very touching and very emotional and very beautiful," added Max Caravantes, who knew the Jajoy family well as founder of the Latino Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "We all felt what the family felt today. It's a tragedy for our community and a tragedy for the Jajoy family."
Omar is being remembered as a happy, fun-loving young boy.
"He was a happy little boy, all the time," said Andres Baredes who has know the Jajoy family since they came to Canada five years ago. "He was a happy boy and he liked to play soccer and he played with PlayStation and all those kinds of kids toys."
"Omar was a seven-year-old kid, you know, and a very happy kid and a joy for his family," added Caravantes.
Family members of Nerlin Sarmiento, Omar's mother, were also at the service. The 32-year-old has been charged with first degree murder in the boy's death. Sarmiento was remanded to Alberta Hospital to undergo psychiatric assessment after making her first court appearance Friday.
With files from Jenna Bridges.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.