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Hundreds attend funeral for slain teen By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 7 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 22, 2009 He was only 16 years old, but the turnout at his funeral was one befitting a man who had lived six times as long and accumulated an entire lifetime's worth of friends. Sadly for Jesse Comeau, 16 years was all he had, but it was enough to make an immeasurable impression. The pews of Saint Dominic Parish were packed Friday, as hundreds of people filled the Rebecca Street church, to the point where some were required to stand. Those in attendance hailed from every part of Comeau's life, from members of his family to friends from Thomas A. Blakelock High School and the Oakville Skate Park to associates from his Taikwondo classes, who arrived fully decked out in the white uniform of their sport. All came together, united by grief. The lead up to this sad event dates back to early Saturday morning when Comeau was fatally stabbed after an altercation broke out between two groups of people during a Burlington birthday party. Two others were also stabbed during the incident, but have since been released from hospital. Police have charged Bradley Todorovich, 18, of Hamilton with second-degree murder, attempted murder and assault with a weapon. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER FAREWELL JESSE: Jesse Comeau's Taikwondo class watches as pallbearers carry the slain teen's coffin from the church on Friday. At Comeau's funeral, many honoured his reduced many who had been holding it memory by wearing lime green ribbons, while together to tears. others wore green ties or other green clothThe casket itself was covered in writing, an ing. apparent effort by some to leave one last mesLime green, it was pointed out, had been sage with their friend. Comeau's favourite colour. During the liturgy, Father Roger V. It was also noted that green is seen by the Formosi asked those present what emotions Christian faith as the colour symbolizing they were feeling in connection with hope. Comeau's sudden and violent passing. As pallbearers carried Comeau's casket into Sorrow, love, fear and anger were just a few the church a hymn, sung by the church choir, of the emotions members of the crowd listed. "Anger is a natural reaction, absolutely, but where do we go with it? What do we do with it?" asked Formosi. "I have spent quite a bit of time in the last two days particularly with David (Comeau's father) and Gary (Comeau's uncle) and I don't hear and I don't sense the need or the desire for vengeance." Formosi next called on those present to pray for the person who killed Comeau and asked them to now think of words best describing Comeau. Noble, respectful, vibrant and humble were a few of the responses. Reading the tenets of Taikwondo, which included self-control, integrity and an indomitable spirit, Formosi said they reminded him of Christian tenets. When he asked those present if Comeau lived up to these tenets, the response was an unqualified yes. As the service continued, Formosi called on the young people present to idolize and seek to be like the true heroes of the world and not the imposters society provides all too often. One hero he noted was a Catholic priest who saved a man's life at the cost of his own in a Nazi concentration camp. "Was Jesse a hero? Did he die saving someone else? I don't know. Maybe some of you know, but I don't know. One thing we do know is that he was a good boy," said Formosi. "Thank God for his life."