A second vigil was held on Friday night in front of the BWG Library in memory of Siem Zerezghi; the young teenage boy whose body was found in the pond at the corner of Bradford’s 8th line and Professor Day Drive last Friday.
The memorial was another opportunity for residents in the community to come together and remember Siem, to grieve his loss, and to support one another during this difficult time.
The vigil was organized by iLead Youth Centre, BWG Diversity Action Group, Bradford Women’s+ Group, and Aurora Black Community, and hosted by Cheraldean Duhaney, executive director of iLead Youth Centre.
The service commenced with a moment of silence followed by a drumming performance. Many speakers expressed their condolences including Mayor Rob Keffer, Deputy Mayor James Leduc, Coun. Raj Sandhu, Pastor Eaton Grant with Greater Life Community Church, and Mr. Graham Rayner, the Vice Principal of Bradford District High School.
“On behalf of myself, members of council, Deputy Mayor James Leduc and Councillor Raj Sandhu, we want to express our condolences to the family and the community at large,” expressed Mayor Keffer. “It was just a week ago when Siem was found, and we were all shocked… it was the worst news, we were hoping for better news and we were all devastated when we heard that Siem had been found. But the community came together, the community has been grieving together. The vigil we had last Sunday night was an overwhelming show of support for the family and community, our neighbors, and family members."
Keffer added, “I think what is so pronounced with the outpouring of grief, is that we’re all part of a family, we have our own families – parents, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles – but we’re also a family in the community that we live in, Bradford West Gwillimbury, and I think that’s what caught everybody’s sorrow, everybody’s feelings of anguish… so thank you to the organizers for allowing us to come together to think about Siem’s family, to think about our families, to think about reaching out to make sure our families are safe, secure, and know that they can talk to us or any of their friends."
A number of Siem’s teachers shared fond memories of Siem. One teacher remembers his infectious smile, his laugh, and that he loved to chat and laugh in class. Another teacher shared that Siem was very polite and said ‘how are you’ and ‘good morning sir’ every day. He really enjoyed playing games in his ESL classes and was very competitive with a desire to win, even in the most minor competitions. Siem worked very hard in class, was inquisitive and a very bright student. He liked to play basketball and soccer with his friends.
“I want to say that the entire BDHS staff is extremely saddened at the tragic and unexpected loss of Siem. We extend our sympathies and condolences to this family,” shared Rayner, VP of BDHS. “Siem was a wonderful young man who had so much to look forward to and will be greatly missed. I personally greeted him many days as he entered the school to start his day. He always had a smile on his face when I saw him enter the school… At Bradford High, we are committed to supporting his family and specifically his sisters through this very difficult time of loss."
Rayner added, “I want to encourage all of the young people to allow yourselves the time to grieve his loss, and to know there are many different ways that people work through the grieving process. The staff at Bradford District High School are committed to supporting you, so please ask for help if you are ever in need of support. We are a rich community of caring people who can walk through this difficult time together."
Principal Peter Stone, Superintendent Daryl Halliday, and other members of BDHS staff attended the visitation at the funeral home on Friday evening to express their condolences in person to the family and to pay their final respects to Siem.
“My daughter was in Siem’s math class last year, and when he went missing, I knew that he was someone special, someone, these people deeply cared about,” noted Coun. Sandhu. “And when the news came, it was very hard on everyone, especially the youth. And that’s where we each have to do our part and reach out to them and say, we’re here!”
Acting Deputy Chief John Van Dyke of the South Simcoe Police Services spoke on behalf of Chief Andrew Fletcher and the entire service, “we are grieving with the community."
“If it had to be that Siem was taken from us, we are grateful and thankful that we were able to find him and reunite him with his family so that he could receive a proper burial,” shares SSP. “To the youth of our community, we want you to know that we are here for you each and every day, looking out for you."
