Funeral services will be held this Friday for 18-year-old Eric Leighton who was killed in an explosion at his Ottawa high school last week.
Leighton was building a barbeque in his shop class when an explosion occurred Thursday morning. He died from his injuries in hospital.
A funeral for Leighton will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Church on Steeple Hill Cres. in Ottawa.
Leighton is remembered as someone who could light up a room with a flash of his smile.
"He can take an angry room and make it a happy room," Leighton's father, Patrick, told CTV Ottawa in an exclusive interview on Friday.
"I've heard from coaches after coaches what a great kid he was to deal with. Never talked back – always was polite and just his smile."
Leighton has been described as a popular Grade 12 student who excelled in lacrosse and hockey.
He had planned to take a year off after graduating high school to work and save money. After that, he wanted to pursue a hockey career or move to Alberta to study police sciences.
A wake for Leighton will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Woodroffe location of Kelly Funeral Homes.
Leighton's family is asking for donations to be made to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation, an organization that helps kids participating in recreation and sport. Contributions can be made care of Eric's mother, Sheri Leighton, at TD Canada Trust, account number 6419094, branch 2831.
