The university graduate from Derry who was one of 88 airline passengers killed in Thailand last week was yesterday described as a remarkable young man who unconditionally loved his family and friends.
Aaron Toland (22), from Drumard Park, was killed when flight OG269 from Bangkok crash-landed at Phuket airport. It was carrying 123 passengers and seven crew.
Mr Toland, who is survived by his parents AnnMarie and Myles, twin brother Emmett, and brothers Conan and Cianan, was with his friend Christopher Cooley, also from Derry.
The two friends were to have spent a year touring and working in Australia.
They had booked another flight from Bangkok, but changed their arrangements and took an earlier flight.
Mr Cooley, who was originally on the critical list with chest and abdominal injuries, was yesterday transferred from an intensive care ward to a general ward in a hospital in Phuket.
He was the only passenger in the first 12 rows of the jet to have survived the crash.
At Requiem Mass in St Columba's church, Long Tower, yesterday, prayers were said for Mr Cooley, for the other survivors and for those bereaved by the crash.
Fr Kieran Page, a friend of the Toland family, told mourners that Aaron was a fun-loving, practical joker who had a happy-go-lucky nature combined with a deep love for his family and friends.
"The greatest gift God can bless us with is the gift of another person.
"God blesses us with loving, honest people and we are here today with deep sadness because the gift of Aaron has so tragically been taken from his family and friends.
"Your hearts are heavily burdened and your loss is great. You received many blessings from Aaron, you son, your brother, your uncle, your friend."
Fr Page said Aaron was "blessed with a loving smile", and his life and his tragic death had touched so many people.
Following Requiem Mass, Mr Toland was buried in the city cemetery.