Roughly 100 people gathered at Holland Park in Whalley on Thursday afternoon to pay their respects to Ethan Bespflug, the teen who was stabbed to death April 11 while riding on public transit in Surrey.

Barry Slocombe, the funeral celebrant at the 鈥渋nformal鈥� celebration of life, noted that Ethan liked gemstones, rocks and exploring the Great Outdoors.

The gathering heard from family and friends.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 have much to say because I feel like basically my whole being is gone, my soul is gone with Ethan,鈥� said Holly Indridson, his mother. 鈥淗e was the most gentle, kind, polite soul, he was so thoughtful, he paved the way for his brothers and sisters. He set such a good example of how to live life and how you should be, helping others and helping strangers.

鈥淛ust that morning he was helping his sister learn how to ride a bike.

鈥淚 just hope his memory carries on and there鈥檚 change,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd that people can learn from these kinds of acts. Just be kind, show love.鈥�

The 17-year-old died in hospital after being stabbed April 11 while riding the Route 503 bus in the 9900-block of King George Boulevard.

Kaiden Mintenko, 20, of Burnaby is charged with second-degree murder. His next appearance in Surrey provincial court is set for May 8.

Holly Indridson, mother of Ethan Bespflug, 17, stabbed to death on a Surrey bus, speaks at his celebration of life Thursday at Whalley's Holland Park.

鈥� Tom Zytaruk (@tomzytaruk)

鈥淚t鈥檚 sad, it鈥檚 unfortunate, it鈥檚 tragic,鈥� Melissa Dion, a family friend, told the Now-Leader.