“Unfortunately, he passed away . .
. and it touched everyone’s heart.
So, it was our duty to come together on this tragedy, express ourselves, offer our condolences and sympathies,” Soharwardy said.
He emphasized how the crisis brought the community together regardless of faith.
“It shows that we are one human being, one Calgarian, one Canadian, one Albertan, and when we face any challenges, we come together,” he said.
Tracy Robertson, a minister of St. Thomas United Church, shared thoughts on the collective grief.
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“It’s unfortunate that it’s times of crisis that does that, but hopefully this will bleed out into other times where we all see each other as one community, not be divisive and not be divided,” she said.
Volunteers who participated in the search expressed deep solidarity with the grieving family.
Muqadas Baloach, a mental health nurse, said, “I’m here today in solidarity to stand by his family and just let Parker’s mom and dad know that it’s not just their heart that aches; it’s every parent in Calgary that has a child.”
Baloach remarked on the comforting atmosphere created by the large gathering.
“I felt joy seeing everybody was here together and this just shows how Calgary has such a diverse community that is like a big family.
Everybody stood up there to be Parker’s big family for him,” she said.
A second vigil occurred along 60th Ave and Blackthorn Road N. E.
