Pte. Aidan Goulding was remembered as fearless, adventurous and devoted to living fully as family, friends and Canadian Armed Forces members gathered for his funeral in Vancouver on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was one of four soldiers killed when a grassfire overtook troops during live-fire training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta last month, Global News reported.

Speaking at Seaforth Armoury, his mother, Sonia Monk, thanked those who had supported the family and described her son as her “bright light.”

“He loved life and wanted to experience all of it. He was fearless, sometimes more fearless than I would have preferred,” Monk said, according to reporting by Global News’ Sean Previl.

“If there was a safe, sensible way to do something, Aidan usually found a more exhilarating way.”

Goulding’s brother, Wylder, recalled childhood adventures involving bicycles, tree climbing and skateboarding, describing a bond marked by both competition and friendship.

“He was my best friend, my worst enemy, my harshest critic and my fiercest competitor,” he said.

Goulding served with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. His commander, Capt. Jack O’Connell, said he had completed infantry training in July 2026 and remembered him as an “outgoing, confident, charismatic warrior” who often went running after work.

The soldiers were training for a potential overseas deployment when the fire struck. Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark also died, and another 39 soldiers were taken to hospital. Funerals for Wong and Farrell have been held in recent weeks.

An investigation into the incident, including the grassfire, remains underway.

Monk told mourners that the family would keep moving forward, but with something always missing.

“I love you Aidy, rest in peace, my bright light,” she said.

Sources