Southwestern Central School soccer coach Mike Sleggs speaks about his time with Justin Romaniuk during a candlelight vigil held Monday evening. Romaniuk, a 19-year-old University at Buffalo student and Southwestern graduate, died Monday morning as the result of a head-on car accident on Route 60 in Charlotte. P-J photo by Jimmy McCarthy

With umbrellas in one hand and a candle in the other, a community gathered to mourn the loss of Southwestern graduate Justin Romaniuk.

A large group gathered at Southwestern Central School’s turf field Monday evening as a light rain fell. Circling around the Southwestern logo at midfield, friends, school and community members remembered Romaniuk.

Friends and soccer teammates entered the middle of the circle to recall their time and encounters with him. Mike Sleggs, Southwestern soccer coach, said he liked wearing No. 2 a lot.

“He wore this uniform about as well as anybody,” Sleggs said as he laid it upon the field for the gathering to see. “The thing that was great about him was he lived the day wanting to make other people happy. He lived giving joy. He gave that gift to all of us.”

Sleggs told those in attendance to pray and give thanks in what Justin was in each person’s life.

“We’re placed here because of relationships and how we show love, how we show grace, how we show mercy and how we show compassion,” Sleggs said. “Life is a team support. Justin was a great teammate and will always be a great teammate.”

Following a few words from friends, gatherers lit their candles and they sang “Amazing Grace.” Members of the soccer team huddled for a chant. Silence followed as gatherers stood to remember Romaniuk.

“What a tremendous blessing Justin is, was and always will be to us,” Sleggs said.