A Canadian soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device Thursday, just a few days short of the end of his tour of duty in southern Afghanistan.
Pte. Kevin McKay, of the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, died when an explosion erupted around his platoon while on patrol in a village just outside Kandahar City.
The 24-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., is the son of Toronto Fire Service Capt. Fred McKay. He was known to his friends as "Mickey" described as friends as being "tough" and "brave."
Toronto is honouring the young soldier by lowering the flags at city hall and all civic centres to half mast.
In Barrie, the town where he grew up, many people tied yellow ribbons around their trees.
"Mickey was always the bright light in the platoon," said capt. Michael Hughes. "He was never down, he always brought moral up."
Fred McKay said he was proud of his son for serving his country.
"If he had been a doctor or a lawyer, or NHL star, I wouldn't have been any prouder than when he became a Princess Patricia," he told CTV News.
McKay was on a "presence patrol" in the village of Nakhonay, about 15 kilometres west of Kandahar City, when the IED exploded.
The foot patrols are intended to demonstrate to local Afghans that NATO troops have pushed the Taliban out of the area, part of the volatile Panjwaii district that was the scene of fierce fighting in 2006 and 2007.
Col. Simon Hetherington, the deputy commander of Task Force Kandahar, said McKay embodied the spirit of the Canadian soldier.
"He was the type of soldier that Canadians might think of when they think of their army in Afghanistan -- the tough, courageous infantryman, living in austere conditions and doing incredibly difficult work," Hetherington said from the main coalition base at Kandahar Air Field.
"His platoon brothers and friends will remember Kevin, better known as 'Mickey' to his buddies, as a generous man, dependable, with a quick wit and a great sense of humour that was exemplified by his awesome moustache."
Hetherington, speaking on behalf of task force commander Brig.-Gen. Dan Menard, who is on leave, said that McKay was short in stature but not in the estimation of his comarades.
"While not a tall man, he had no difficulty in poking fun and taunting those less vertically challenged platoon mates," Hetherington said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement that McKay served Canada valiantly, and deserves the gratitude and respect of his nation.
"Canadians are forever proud and grateful for his service and for the contributions of all our men and women in uniform to this UN-mandated, NATO-led mission."
McKay is the 144th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. Two civilians -- diplomat Glyn Berry and journalist Michelle Lang -- have also died.
McKay's body will make its way home from the Kandahar airbase late Friday. A repatriation ceremony honouring the fallen soldier will be held Sunday.
The young soldier's death comes as hundreds gathered in Halifax to remember the first Canadian sailor to be killed in the Afghan conflict.
A memorial service will be held for 37-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Blake, who was killed by an IED on May 3, also in the Panjwaii district.
His remains will be placed in the sea at a private ceremony.
