A city mourns

Funeral Saturday for Elijah Marsh

By Gerald V. Paul

Elijah Marsh, 3, who died after wandering off in the middle of a frigid night, was curious and cheerful, a neighbour says.
Elijah Marsh, 3, who died after wandering off in the middle of a frigid night, was curious and cheerful, a neighbour says.

Overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from across Toronto and Canada, the family of Elijah Marsh has extended an invitation to the public to attend his visitation and burial.

A crowd funding initiative raised more than $173,000 – nearly nine times the goal of $20,000 – to cover funeral costs for Elijah, 3, who died last week after slipping out of his grandmother’s apartment at 4:20 a.m. and walking off alone in the bitter cold, clad only in his boots, a T-shirt and diaper.

He was found hours later that morning in a nearby yard after relatives awoke and alerted police who conducted a massive search along with volunteers. He died in hospital.

Georgette Marsh is comforted after learning her son Elijah was found in a nearby yard. CTV News Photo
Georgette Marsh is comforted after learning her son Elijah was found in a nearby yard.
CTV News Photo

“It’s the worst thing in the world to lose your child and to lose him like this,” Elijah’s mother Georgette said in a statement. She thanked people from across the country for their support, adding she is heartbroken.

“I appreciate the time you have given me but now it’s time to say thank you for the (your) donations (and support),” Marsh said. “It’s surreal and I am overwhelmed with appreciation and gratitude.”

Visitation will be held today (Thursday) from 2- 9 p.m. at Vescio Funeral Home, 2080 Dufferin St. in Toronto. The funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew’s United Church, 729 St. Clair Ave. W.

Mayor John Tory has asked Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to review its policies to see if more can be done to childproof its buildings.

“I’ve already raised it with Toronto Community Housing Corporation and I think all landlords of all buildings and all people who live in single-family homes should be just taking that one extra look at these kinds of things to make sure we’ve done everything we can to make sure to keep kids safe,” Tory said.

Tory added, “No matter how many locks you install, no matter how many safety precautions you take, there are going to be tragic accidents that happen. It’s a constant challenge to keep those doors in a state of good repair. To be candid, in some buildings, there are people who make it their business to make sure the doors are not kept in a state of repair, and that makes it more challenging.”

Sara Goldvine, spokeswoman for TCHC, said the agency is reviewing its policies and working with the community to improve security and support Elijah’s family.

Security images show Elijah left the building by himself at 4:20 a.m. wearing a T-shirt, diaper and boots on one of the coldest nights of the year with the temperature hovering around -15 C.

He walked out of the low-rise building into the parking lot and down Neptune Drive in the Bathurst and Hwy. 401 area, unseen by adults who might have stopped him. He went past his daycare and a school and stopped at 89 Baycrest Ave. beside the house, 300 meters from home, where he was found by a volunteer searcher.

He was pronounced dead at North York General Hospital.

Neighbour Hyacinth Challenger has known Elijah since he was born. She said his mother is a registered nurse and he often stays overnight at his grandmother’s apartment. She described him as curious, cheerful and well-behaved.

An investigating coroner has been assigned to determine if an inquest is warranted.

A Facebook page has been created so people can share messages with the family.