Homicide victim remembered as an 'original'

Friends and family came to the funeral of Kevin Tokarchuk Friday afternoon. Tokarchuk was shot and killed at his family's home in Winnipeg's Fort Rouge neighbourhood on Monday, in what police say was a gang-related shooting.

It came on the one-year anniversary of the shooting of a Hell's Angel associate. Kevin Tokarchuk is the brother of the man charged in the shooting of Trevor Savoie.

Two police cruisers parked outside of the Sturgeon Creek United Church in St. James hinted at the violence that had taken Tokarchuk's life. Inside, the benches were packed with family and friends who struggled with their emotions as they remembered better times.

They said Tokarchuk had a good sense of humour and a knack for building things. He liked to tinker with motors. He also held a teaching degree.

A number of his young male friends told anecdotes about the good times they had camping and cruising in cars. They described Tokarchuk as "unique, original and a good friend."

Rev. Bill Corkum said the evil and cruelty that took Tokarchuk's life will never be understood. But he urged the family and friends not to allow the evil to have the final say.

Police have not made any arrests in connection with Tokarchuk's murder.