Teen who died in Don River crash to be laid to rest today

16-year-old Alexander James Blugerman at Fairlawn is seen in this undated photo.

A funeral will be held this morning for a teenager who died when the van he was in plunged into the Don River.

A visitation was held Thursday night for 16-year-old Alexander James Blugerman at Fairlawn Avenue United Church.

Blugerman, known to his friends as "A.J.," was with four other teens on Good Friday when the car he was in crashed into the river. His four friends all managed to escape through the sunroof but the young man remained trapped inside for about 30 minutes before rescue crews were able to free him.

The surviving teens were at yesterday's visitation along with hundreds of other school friends from Bayview Glen where AJ was a grade 11 student.

In an obituary posted on the funeral home's website, Blugerman was described as a "wise soul" who enriched the lives of his family and friends with his deep sense of integrity.

"A.J. loved life, loved hockey, loved soccer and loved people," the obituary says. "A.J. was at the doorway of becoming his own person in every way imaginable. It was impossible to be upset about anything for very long with A.J. He had a natural sense of doing the right thing and genuinely being caring towards others. He could always apologize. He touched our hearts through his integrity and his warm personality."

A funeral service for the teen is expected to take place at 11 a.m. Friday.