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Community turns out by hundreds to support family of Aurora teen

The No. 19 York Region Lions jersey was retired at the celebration of life for 15-year-old Aaron Bank-Sedore

Hundreds of people from the community packed into the hockey rink at the Aurora Community Centre Oct. 16 to celebrate the life of an Aurora teen who brought much love, laughter and friendship to the lives of everyone who knew him.

In a strong showing of support for the family of Aaron Bank-Sedore, 15, who died suddenly on Oct. 8., the young man’s many childhood friends donned their favourite sports jerseys, including that of the York Region Lions junior varsity football team, on which Aaron played.

It was a poignant moment when the family announced that Aaron’s Lions jersey, No. 19, would be retired, an honour bestowed upon a player who leaves the team through retirement from the sport or passes away.

And as staff at the ice rink began to hoist the large poster with a photo of Aaron in his Lions jersey up to the rafters, tears flowed from many in attendance.

Aaron’s best friend, Taylor Nacevski, choked back tears as she read a letter she sent to Aaron’s parents, Karen Bank and Kelly Sedore, that expressed just how much her friend meant to her.

“He even joined the drama club so we could hang out and have some fun together,” Nacevski said about their time together at Aurora High School.

Many other longtime friends shared stories of fun times they had with Aaron, at school, while camping or on field trips, on sports fields, mostly playing football, a sport in which Aaron showed great promise. 

There were memorable times too numerous to recount, such as Aaron’s gift of mischief that never failed to get a laugh, his love of pie, and his “20 to 30 jokes each period” in school that friends say they will forever miss.

Parent Kelly Sedore struggled to speak, overcome by the tragic loss of her son. Parent Karen Bank, too, expressed the love and joy Aaron brought to their lives, and to their large tight-knit family.

“I am filled with sadness, confusion and loss,” Sedore said. “I was Aaron’s mama for almost 16 years. He was the inspiration for many family adventures and we shared so many special moments. He was so intelligent and loved to make everyone laugh.”

Older brother Dylan Sedore thanked the community for their “overwhelming support”, saying it has been one of the “most powerful experiences and made this easier for my family”.

“This is a very sad day,” Dylan said, adding that he wanted to focus on the good memories with his younger brother, rather than on his final day.

As little brothers and older brothers often do, there was a lot of rough housing as they were growing up. And tender moments, such as when little Aaron would snuggle with his big brother on the sofa and slip into a quiet sleep.

Then came the questions from Aaron about how to shave, tips about which Dylan happily shared. 

But it’s perhaps the story of the brothers’ grandfather that brought home the gut-wrenching loss of young Aaron.

Dylan said his grandfather always told him that he could call anytime he needed anything, even if it was at 3 a.m. It was the same reassurance that Dylan passed on to Aaron, and is symbolic of the kind of love that travels through generations of a family, he said.

“I wish Aaron called me when he needed me the most, and I wish he knew that everyone in this room would have been there for him, too,” Dylan said through tears. “I promise to always remember the good memories about Aaron and not dwell on the final day of his life.”

Aaron died Oct. 8 by suicide. Outwardly, the young man found joy in being a “jokester”, the family chess master, and in being a positive light to those around him. Inside, he was struggling in silence, cousin Hannah Sedore said.

“We didn’t know that Aaron was sad and was struggling, we didn’t understand what he was carrying and we’re all shocked and so sorry this has happened,” Hannah said. “At least he is free now and has returned to the love and the light. If anyone here is struggling, please ask for help. Aaron was such a bright light in all our lives, and we’ll treasure him forever.”

Family member Jesse Dees-Sedore said that “in his short 15 years, Aaron showed us how to laugh and not take ourselves seriously”. 

Aaron is the loving son of Karen Bank (Carla Fernandes) and Kelly Sedore (Michelle Vaughan). He is the cherished brother of Austin Fernandes, Safra Fernandes, Hayley Vaughan, Dylan Sedore (Jesse Dees-Sedore), and grandson of the late Margaret Bank, the late Keith Bank, Andy and Linda Sedore.

He will also be missed by his aunts, uncles and cousins from the Bank, Sedore, Fernandes, Vaughan and Smith families.

Contributions in Aaron’s memory can be made to Kids Help Phone or the Canadian Mental Health Association.

A Facebook group has been set up to remember Aaron, and the community is welcome to share memories here.