The celebration of life for a 25-year-old Sudbury man whose body was pulled from the icy waters of Junction Creek earlier this month takes place Saturday.
Branden Bodson-Gratton, who lived with schizophrenia, had been reported missing by his family in December. Police, family members and complete strangers scoured the city for him for months.
His body was finally found in Junction Creek alongside Riverside Drive on April 11.
Bodson-Gratton's obituary described him as an energetic, loving and funny young man.
“Branden loved so many, and was loved by so many more,” the obituary said. “He had an energy that with even just one encounter with him, you would remember him for life.
“If you knew him well or barely at all, he always left you thinking. Whether it was about how absolutely gorgeous, ridiculously funny, or just down right inappropriate he was, He left his mark.
“He will continue to stay with us all through memories, of his philosophies and love of others. His never ending generosity and kind and gentle heart.
“He loved his bandanas and his hoodies and his favourite, loved to dress as if he was in GQ magazine. He was a young man of many faces and we loved each and every one of them.
“He left us all and we will never be the same again. At this time, we must come together and laugh for Branden’s sake. Branden would have wanted it that way.”
Bodson-Gratton is survived by his parents — father Roch Bodson and wife Roukia, and mother Diane Gratton — his brothers Jordan, Rayan and Ayman, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A visitation for Bodson-Gratton takes place Friday, May 3 from 2-5 and 7-9:30 p.m. at the Co-operative Funeral Home on Lasalle Boulevard.
The celebration of life takes place Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's on the Hill United Church. The service is followed by a reception at the church and a cemetery service at the Valley East cemetery in Hanmer.
As there was no trauma to Bodson-Gratton's body prior to it entering the creek, Greater Sudbury Police do not suspect foul play in his death.
