A funeral service for Pte. Aidan Goulding, one of the victims in the CFB Wainwright fire on Oct. 17, was held Sunday at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury.
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A funeral service was held over the weekend for Pte. Aidan Goulding, one of the victims in the tragic fire at CFB Wainwright on Oct. 17.
The 23-year-old’s life was celebrated Sunday at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury, where family, friends and members of the Canadian Armed Forces officially laid him to rest.
Goulding’s mother, Sonia Monk, described her son as “unapologetically himself” and said his personality could brighten any room. She said he wanted to wear a white suit to school on his first day of Grade 4 and a gold suit when he turned 21, and she said he was an exceptional athlete with a contagious laugh and a passion for fixing used cars.
Monk said, “It was the greatest privilege of my life to be his mother and his friend,” and added, “I feel like I’m driving with one headlight. The road is still there, I’ll try to keep moving forward, but it will never be quite as bright. I love you, Aidy. Rest in peace, my bright light.”
His brother, Wylder Goulding, spoke about the “mischief” they got into while growing up and said his brother’s signature dance-floor move was “the worm.” Wylder said Aidan was his best friend and fiercest competitor, adding, “I’ll miss my brother, my friend, my confidante, my hero,” and “I’ll miss that contagious smile, that laugh, that light of the room he walked into.”
Goulding had just finished his infantry training this past July. The day of his funeral was also meant to be the day of his first parachute jump as a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
His commanding officer, Captain Jack O’Connell, described Goulding as an outgoing, charismatic warrior who had an “inspiring warrior spirit” and “determination that was hard to miss,” adding that when things became difficult, he was “not the type of person to simply give up.”
Monk said the support she’s received, along with the “newfound community within the Canadian Armed Forces,” has been remarkable, and she noted that serving in the Canadian military was the highlight of her son’s life. She said he told her, “I have one life to live; I want to do something important, so I’m joining the army,” and she said she viewed that choice as “so unselfish,” adding, “I admire him and I’m so proud of him.”
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