Sad Farewell For A “Good Guy”
Posted December 5, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
But Toronto native Michael Serba’s dreams ended on November 25th, when he was sucker punched by a man in an alley outside a Jane and Bloor St. bar, then hit in the head with what’s believed to be a brick. He lapsed into a coma and never woke up.
He was taken off life support last week and died soon after.
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of relatives, friends and teammates gathered at St. Demetrius Church near Eglinton and Royal York Road to say a tear-filled farewell at the funeral for the talented hockey player.
The young man was remembered for his passion, his love of life and the way he cared about others – especially youngsters.
Those who knew the slain young adult say he had it all – good looks, a great sense of humour and compelling compassion.
“He’s a good guy,” agrees Chris Dardarian, a childhood friend. “Him and his brother were always good people in high school. They were just always there for you, you know? In the game, if you were ever down or you weren’t feeling right, they’d be there were with a smile or a joke.”
He agrees the loss has left all of Michael’s friends devastated. “It’s horrible, everyone was talking about it,” he recalls. “It took the wind out of everyone, it’s a shame, it’s a waste.”
Serba stayed a hero right to the end in the eyes of those who knew him – his family donated his organs as a final way he could help others.
Two busloads filled with his former hockey team drove in from Vermont to attend the final rites. Among them: his coach, Michael McShane.
“He was a complete young man,” he reflects. “He had everything going for him. He was well-mannered, intelligent, a great athlete and just a pleasure to be around.
“He was just a guy you have a lot of pride in coaching because you see the results of what happens after four years.”
But Scott Miller of Norwich University, which Serba was attending before his death, may have summed it up best. “He was a terrific young man,” he concludes. “And I think we know that now more than ever.”
Serba was only 25 years old.
The man charged with killing him is three years younger. Nicholas Crowdis was in court on Monday, where the charges against him were upgraded to second-degree murder.
The motive for the killing remains unknown.
A fund has been established to help the family through this difficult time. Donations can be made to the Michael Serba Trust Fund at any T.D.-Canada Trust bank branch, account number 0326-6304897.
