Hundreds of mourners, mostly young people, gathered at St. Patrick's Basilica Thursday to pay tribute to a 24-year-old man who was killed when he was pinned under a pickup truck in a parking garage on Christmas Eve.
Alex Zolpis was remembered as a high-spirited and kind young man. He was killed when he got trapped under a rental truck on the top floor of a Byward Market parking garage between George and York Streets. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the somber funeral service, Rev. Larry McCormick said: "This is what I think Alex would say to the family: I have just slipped quietly into another room. Whatever great friendships we have, it remains in eternity. We are still, and we will always be. Laugh as we always laughed, and enjoy as we've always enjoyed."
Zolpis was remembered Thursday as someone who had a great sense of humour. He leaves behind his parents, sister and long-time girlfriend. His friends say he will truly be missed.
"He was a man of pure joy and great wit. He could have been a standup comic. He always had a funny thing to say, unexpected, and a great smile on his face," said friend Maxime Cossette.
"Regardless of how it happens, and regardless of the age of the child, it's something that should not happen to anyone and it happens every day," said Madeleine Murphy, an acquaintance of the Zolpis family.
Zolpis' long-time friend, the son of former Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin, faces several charges in connection with the crash, including impaired driving causing death.
Jack Tobin was released from jail on a $100,000-bond. The terms of his release prevented him from attending the funeral service. He is also barred from contacting most of his friends, including the victim's family.
In lieu of flowers, the Zolpis family has asked donations to be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
With a report from CTV's Daniele Hamamdjian
