Funeral arrangements set for Javier Avina

javier

The Walpole Island and Wallaceburg communities are mourning this week, after the tragic and sudden loss of a local boy.

Javier Guadalupe Avina died suddenly in Wallaceburg on Tuesday, April 5.

He was 10-years-old.

“Javier was about faith, family, music and friends,” read his obituary.

“A 5th grade student at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Wallaceburg, he had a strong faith in God and loved his teachers, school, fishing and Gospel music, playing the violin, drums and tambourine. Despite his asthma, he was a great athlete who excelled in sports. He was a great kid.”

A visitation will be held at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home in Wallaceburg on Friday (April 8) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

His funeral will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m.

Interment will follow at Highbanks Cemetery, on Walpole Island, with a reception to follow at the Walpole Island Sports Complex.

Remembrances to the Asthma Society of Canada or to the family may be left at the funeral home.

Dan Parr, director of education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, told the Sydenham Current on Wednesday that the staff at St. Elizabeth Catholic School assisted a student who was experiencing a medical issue on Tuesday.

After being taken to hospital by ambulance, “tragically the student passed away a short time later.

“I know that this young man will be remembered by the St. Elizabeth school community as a caring and a very faithful boy, who loved life and he loved his family. The school community and the entire St. Clair Catholic District School Board is deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” Parr said.

The Catholic Compassionate Care team of the School Board has been deployed to the school to support the students and staff, and would be on location for as long as needed.

A communication to the parents was sent home by the school principal earlier this week, Parr said.

“Parents who become aware that their children might be exhibiting an unusual degree of anxiety over this information, we ask them to feel free to contact the school teacher or the school principal immediately, so we can put some supports in place,” he said.

Const. Renee Cowell, public information officer for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, said they are no longer investigating the incident.

“On behalf of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, I can confirm that our investigation is complete,” Cowell said.

“We have no concerns with how the school handled this tragedy. The death is now a Coroner’s case, therefore all further questions or concerns, should be directed to them.”

Reports say the coroner’s investigation is still underway.

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