Boy killed by train near Oshawa; fundraisers launched to support family

Two fundraisers have been launched to support the family of Gage Arsenault, a 16-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a train in Bowmanville last week.

Arsenault was walking to class at Bowmanville High School on Sept. 4 when he was struck. In the wake of Arsenault’s death, two GoFundMe pages have been launched.

One, organized by friends of Arsenault’s father Adam, described the incident. “On a familiar shortcut where the train usually comes in the evening only, suddenly a train appeared and before Gage could clear the way, he was hit head on from behind,” wrote organizer Michele Lenick.

She described Arsenault as “a passionate musician and had dreams of becoming a rockstar or a ship worker. He excelled at guitar and was accomplished beyond his age. He was a very kind soul with a huge heart and regard for others.”

This fundraiser has nearly collected its $22,000 goal in two days.

Arsenault was also a fan of the Ed the Sock radio show. He and his mother Dorothy Davis were frequent callers to the late-night program as part of the “Nighttime Neighbourhood.”

As a result, the creator and voice of Ed the Sock, Steven Kerzner, also launched a fundraiser for the family. Krezner described Arsenault as a “sharp, funny kid.”

“Unanticipated funerals create a lot of sudden expenses, and we’d like to help Dorothy with those expenses,” Kerzner wrote, “As well, we’d like to make it possible for Dorothy to take a few weeks off from her self-employed hairstyling job to mourn her son without stressing over money.”

This fundraiser has hit almost $3,000 in donation after two days.

Arsenault leaves his parents, brothers Mitchell and Jacob, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins and friends. His funeral is set for Sept. 11 at the Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home at 53 Division St, Bowmanville.