“I love him to death”: Father and friends mourn teenager who drowned in the Erie Canal

NEWARK, NY — A heartbroken father is speaking out after his son, Wilson Augustave Jr., died after drowning in the Erie Canal in Newark. He was 17 years old.

“I went through emotional turmoil, up and down like a roller coaster,” said Wilson Augustave Sr.

Augustave Sr. has struggled to cope with the loss of his son, but he is deeply touched by the love and support they have received from their loved ones. He tells News10NBC that Wilson was a good person – caring, loving and helpful. The kind of kid who put a smile on everyone’s face.

“I love him, I love him, I love him to death and I hope he finds peace where he is,” Augustave Sr. said tearfully.

The pain is also unbearable for Wilson’s mother, who was unable to even speak when News10NBC’s Marsha Augustin met with the family on Wednesday.

Friends have set up a makeshift memorial of balloons, stuffed animals and flowers in honor of Wilson Augustave Jr. along the railing on South Main Street where he drowned Monday night before a Good Samaritan attempted to save him.

“It’s good that people care and publish things like this here,” said a friend.

“I’m going to miss him as a person, just in general. He was intelligent, funny, had a great smile and a great personality,” another friend added. “It’s crazy how many people, how many people in his life he influenced.”

Friends say they are glad they support each other. Wilson was that kind of friend to them.

“He had a big heart – everyone loved him,” said a friend. “Everyone loved him for his laugh and his smile, but he was so much more than that. He had such a bright heart.”

A big heart that his father will surely miss. “Just having him around – just having him around,” said Augustave Sr.

Gone but never forgotten. Friends remember him with the hashtag #LoveForWilson.

The Augustave family is grateful for the love and support everyone has shown, which shows what kind of person Wilson truly was.

Augustave Sr. says they are currently making plans for the memorial service and should have things confirmed by the end of the week.

Wilson Augustave Jr. was a junior at Newark High School.

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