A funeral is being held today in Rimbey for the teenager who collapsed on Monday during football practice, suffering from a heart attack related to extremely high cholesterol.
The funeral for Corey Walsh, 15, will take place at the Church of the Nazarene in Rimbey at 1:30 p.m.
Family members declined to speak with the media, but a family friend taking calls — who asked that his name be withheld — said that given Walsh’s medical history, such an event wasn’t unexpected.
“Let’s say your cholesterol is five. His would be 17,” said the man.
“He would go to Edmonton twice a month to get cholesterol taken out of his blood.”
The family friend said the medical condition is hereditary and that Walsh’s mom also has it.
He said the boy’s doctors told the family that he should lead a normal life and do anything any of his peers might be expected to do, “and he was doing this (football).”
“His interests were like most kids who are 15 years old. He loved to swim, he loved computer games, he loved his friends. . . . He always tried to make people laugh. If they weren’t laughing, he’d be the guy to try to make them laugh.”
Students at Rimbey Junior Senior High School have been writing their memories and feelings on cards and pieces of paper and placing them in an area set aside by the school, according to Wolf Creek Public Schools assistant superintendent Wanda Christensen.
“The students are coping as best they can. . . . It’s a very trying time for them to lose a friend and fellow classmate,” said Christensen.
mgauk@www.reddeeradvocate.com
