Hundreds of people attending the funeral service for seven Bathurst, N.B., teens killed last week in a highway crash remembered the boys as compassionate, strong-willed, and devoted to their friends, family, and community.

"You have lost your precious sons. We have lost seven future leaders," Mayor Stephen Brunet told the boys' parents in his opening remarks on Wednesday.

"For a moment, just imagine in your mind what they could have done."

The boys -- all members of the Bathurst High Phantoms basketball team -- died when the van they were in hit a truck on an icy highway following a game Friday night. They had their photos and team number on their coffins, along with flowers.

Five of those killed -- Nathan Cleland, Justin Cormier, Daniel Hains, Javier Acevedo and Codey Branch -- were 17 years old. The other two students were Nick Quinn, 16, and Nicholas Kelly, 15.

Emily Cleland says she'll remember her brother for his compassion.

"He was one of those people who would listen to you even if he didn't understand what you were going through," she said. "He actually preferred to listen. My brother was the strong, silent type. But when he had something to say, it was always something meaningful and witty."

Dale Branch remembered his son Codey as strong-willed.

"Codey was definitely a young man who had thoughts and ideas of what he wanted to do from a very young age," he said.

Alex Proctor, who coached Nick Quinn in soccer, said the young athlete was always cheerful.

"Nicky led a full life -- even though it was short, it was a life full of laughter and love," Proctor said.

In addition to those killed, four others were injured when the 15-seater van collided head on with a tractor trailer in an accident that has been blamed on poor road conditions.

Wayne Lord, the coach of the team, was driving when the accident occurred. He and his daughter were among the survivors. His wife, 51-year-old teacher Beth Lord, was killed in the accident.

Her funeral will be held in Bathurst on Thursday.

About 4,800 attended in the main arena of the K.C. Irving Regional Centre, with another 700 in a secondary rink. New Brunswick's Premier Shawn Graham and Lt.-Gov. Hermenegilde Chiasson are among the dignitaries in attendance.

Brunet acknowledged the local emergency workers who responded to the early Saturday tragedy, which he described as "our worst nightmare," and thanked the thousands of Canadians who passed on their condolences to his community.

"In the last few days, we have really come together as a community to support these families with their loss. ...," he said. "We have to realize that this support must continue not only this week but in the days, the weeks and the months ahead. We have to be there together and be strong.''

Those attending had been asked to wear red, the team colour of the Phantoms. Across the province, thousands of students showed up for class this morning, wearing red, the team colour of the Bathurst High Phantoms, to honour the victims.

Pope Benedict sent a message of sympathy to the community, as did Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean. Jean's message, which was read at the service, said, "While words do little to heal these wounds, know this: our nation grieves with you."

A second ice surface at the arena was opened up and the service was broadcast on a large screen for those who don't get into the arena. It was also televised.

The arena was decorated overnight Monday with black curtains, the glass around the ice was removed and carpet was put down over the ice surface to accommodate the large number of mourners that attended a wake on Tuesday.

Investigation into the crash

One of the investigators looking into the crash says he doesn't believe that the type of van involved in the accident led to the accident. Frank Wilson said the Transport Canada investigation is still in its early stages, but he doesn't believe flaws that may be associated with the van were likely behind the crash. Wilson, who is a civil engineer at the University of New Brunswick, said road conditions - which police have said were icy -- may have been a greater factor.

The 15-seat passenger van that was transporting the basketball team has come under scrutiny since the crash. One Canadian province and schools in the U.S. had already prohibited its use before the accident. But Wilson said he doubts the vans are more unstable than SUV's.

Donations

A trust fund has been set up in the wake of the tragedy. Donations can be made at any CIBC Branch in Canada as follows:

Trust Fund: Boys in Red

Transit # 742220032

Scotia Bank is also accepting donations to its "BHS Tragedy Fund". All money from this trust account will be forwarded to the CIBC trust Fund, "Boys in Red."

With files from The Canadian Press