'Grand Bend won't be the same without you': Community mourns the loss of two in Iran plane crash

Thecommunity of Grand Bend is mourning the loss of two people in the Iran plane crash.

Hamidreza Djavadi, known to neighbours as Sam, and his 17-year-old son Kian were on their way home to Canada after visiting Iran during the Christmas break, according to a cousin.

Juan Castro, a former employer and friend of Kian's, told CBC News the pair lived with family in Mississauga, but spent their summers in Grand Bend.

"He was just an excellent worker," Castro recalled.

"When he started working for us, his mom came by the next day and told us he has folded up his uniform T-shirt and placed it under his pillow because he was so excited."

Kian would often keep in touch with a mutual friend during his time away from Grand Bend, according to Castro.

Before boarding, Kian had texted the friend to say he was waiting for his plane and would be in touch when he arrived.

It wasn't soon before family and friends heard news of the plane crash.

Shortly after, a relative from Iran posted on Kian's Facebook to say he and his father did not survive.

"Sam loved his boat more than anything he was always the first person out on the lake in the morning and the last to return," a neighbourposted on Facebook.

"Grand Bend won't be the same without you," another neighbour posted, a sentiment echoed by dozens of comments from the community.