A 12-year-old boy described by his moms as loving adventure and everything about the outdoors was remembered yesterday (February 10) during a service at the Airdrie Alliance Church.  

 

Trai Michael Schlichter lost his life in a tragic carbon monoxide incident while asleep in his room at an Airdrie apartment complex one week ago today.  The source of the leak was a ventilation system not operating properly from the water heater that led to a build-up of carbon monoxide.  The Airdrie RCMP have determined the incident was not criminal in nature. 

Family and friends who gathered for Trai's service were asked by his moms, Elysha Schlichter and Jayla Thompson, earlier in the week to wear Trai's favourite colours.  "LIme green, orange, he switched back and forth all the time," said Thompson.  "And black, he always liked black.  But of course, we want white as well to brighten up the room and not make it so sad."  "To signify his innocence," adds Schlichter.  

When she was asked by reporters earlier in the week to say, "a little about Trai," Schlichter said, "There's no little bit about Trai.  He was very adventurous, he loved doing so much outdoors.  He almost drowned when he was little and he just thrived through that and became a high diver.  He loved swimming so much, skiing, quadding.  Rollerblading inside the house and outside.  He loved all the Fast and Furious movies and he could rap Eminem and cut out all the curses and just keep going."

Schlichter says Trai was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario and left an impact everywhere he went.  Many friends and family came from there for the funeral.  The family lived in Edmonton for a time as well and in the short time he's been in Airdrie Trai left an indelible mark on his school here.  The family has only lived in the city since November 29th, 2017. 

A candlelight vigil to remember Trai will be held tonight at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie beginning at 6:00 pm.  The community is invited to attend and once again to wear lime green, orange, black and white in honour of Trai. 

A Go Fund Me page set up for support for Trai, Jayla and Elysha has reached $15,253 of it's $20,000 goal.  You can find it here.  

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