White lily bouquets were carefully affixed to the outsides of pews and red rose petals were strewn about the central aisle of Parkdale's Our Lady of Lebanon, Maronite Catholic Church for the funeral of Trooper Marc Diab.A family friend shared that the church had been decorated like a wedding service as a special way to celebrate the life of a brave 22-year-old man who died before his time so that others could enjoy peace and freedom.
A small group of flower girls led the procession from the church followed by Diab's military friends and colleagues who carried his flag-draped casket to an awaiting hearse.
Diab, a Mississauga resident, was in Afghanistan's Shah Wali Kot District on Sunday, March 8, when a roadside bomb detonated. Four others were injured during the explosion. Set to return home to Canada in less than a month, Diab was a member of CFB Petawawa's 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
At least 1,000 people filled the Queen Street West church for the solemn, hour-and-half-long mass Tuesday morning.
Father Emmanuel Nakhle as well as several other clergy members from across the GTA and southwestern Ontario presided over the funeral service, which was celebrated in English, Arabic and Aramaic.
In his homily, Nakhle acknowledged that some times there are just not enough words to express one's feelings.
He said that the young man, who was born in south Lebanon on Sept. 19, 1986 and immigrated to Canada with his parents in 2000, gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country.
"No love is greater than dying for others. You made a whole generation smile. Canada will never forget you," he said, extending the church community's ongoing support to Diab's family and loved ones.
Charbel Barakat, the father of Diab's long-time girlfriend Mary, said a few words on behalf of his daughter and Diab's father, Hani, who were both too grief-stricken to speak at the service.
Barakat said his future son-in-law was a man who believed in love and peace, and chose to help out in a special and difficult way by enlisting in the army.
"Marc, you were unique. You were ambitious and you never gave up," he said, adding that the young man was always willing to run the extra mile.
"You paid the ultimate price: your life. For a cause you believed in."
Not a dry eye was to be had after the screening of a short video Diab had prepared prior to his departure for Afghanistan. The 112th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002, Diab had instructed one of his friends to play the video at his funeral in case he didn't make it home from his tour.
The short film, which began with the words "tomorrow...we'll meet again tomorrow..." featured a series of images of Diab with his friends and during his time in the army. It concludes with an image of Diab kissing his sweetheart, Mary, and the words "don't cry... cause I'll see you... tomorrow."
Some of Diab's childhood friends from Lebanon had also prepared a photo slideshow that was shown during the service.
A volunteer scout leader at Our Lady of Lebanon, Diab was fondly remembered as a good friend and a faithful young man who loved to smile and laugh.
"You will be missed but always kept in my memories. Goodbye my friend, we will always love you," said Anthony Moussalem, one of the youths who had participated in the church's summer camps.
Monica Ishak, another camper, compared Diab to the sun on the rainiest days and said his memory would forever remain in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.
Close friends Stephanie Deeck and Tarek Chbat remembered Diab as someone who was always willing to give advice and help out, especially when that meant offering a "free" ride in his beloved jeep in exchange for gas money plus a tip.
Deeck said her friend had a smile that lit up the room and who made each day a memorable one.
"There was never a dull moment," she smiled.
Chbat said Diab was so creative that he went as far as to create a little "army" for his friends, which included its very own anthem he'd often loudly sing in public.
His Canadian Armed Forces colleague and friend, Trooper Aly Alwani (a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons), spoke on behalf of the Canadian military at Diab's funeral service. Both honoured and saddened to be eulogizing his friend's funeral, Alwani shared how the pair got to know each other while they were stationed in Gagetown, N.B. Alwani said they shared a common bond: both were immigrants who dreamed of becoming soldiers.
"Marc Diab fought for what he believed was right," he said, adding that his friend gave his life spreading freedom and protecting his fellow countrymen.
The service concluded with a special drumming song performed by Brain Awad, an church altar boy and family friend.
Following the service, Diab's family proceeded on to a private interment ceremony at Mississauga' Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery.