Man who drowned in Halifax identified as P.E.I.'s Connor O'Callaghan

The man who drowned on July 8 at Chocolate Lake in Halifax has been identified in an obituary as 28-year-old Connor O'Callaghan, who grew up in Mount Stewart, P.E.I.

The obituary describes O'Callaghan as a "beautiful, kind, humble, brilliant, funny, generous, compassionate, creative, understanding, sensitive, diligent, hard-working, loyal, loving, appreciative, honourable man who will be deeply, deeply and forever missed."

Most recently, O'Callaghanwas living in Toronto where the obituary said he was working towardshis PhD.

'Music was inextricable from his life'

O'Callaghan was known on P.E.I. for his music, andplayed with Island performerUrban Carmichael for a number of years.

The obituarydescribes him as a prodigy of the violin and fiddle, who studied "under the tutelage of many of the Maritimes most respected musicians."

"Music was inextricable from his life," it said.

Funeral to be held Saturday in Halifax

An online fundraiser has been set up for O'Callaghan's family including his mother, artist Suzanne O'Callaghan. As of Monday, it had raised $13,746 significantly more than its initial $5,000 goal.

"The world has lost a strong and forceful light, a ray of hope and was blessed by his life," said the obituary.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m. atSt. Theresa's Roman CatholicChurch in Halifax. O'Callaghanwill be buried atCamp Hill Cemetery, also in Halifax.

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