A little boy who died after wandering off into the bitter cold was remembered Saturday as an ‘easy child’ who loved to make others feel happy.

Hundreds of mourners packed a midtown Toronto church to pay their final respects to three-year-old Elijah Marsh. The toddler was found lifeless Feb. 19 several hours after he wandered off from his grandmother’s apartment early in the morning wearing nothing more than a diaper, T-shirt and boots.

His death sent a shockwave of grief through the city, with a steady stream of people turning out to lay flowers, teddy bears and cards in front of his grandmother’s apartment building. An online fundraising campaign also raised more than $173,000 for the family within days.

Earlier this week Elijah’s mother, Georgette Marsh, issued a statement thanking the public for the outpouring of support and inviting the public to attend the funeral.

At her son’s funeral Saturday, Georgette Marsh said Elijah touched everyone that knew him, and in his death he touched everyone he did not know.

She said Elijah did things ‘in his own time’ and seemed to have an old soul from the day he was born, always looking to make things better when he sensed someone was upset.

“Elijah showed me love beyond his years. Elijah knew when something was wrong,” she said.

She added that while the boy’s death has been painful, she’s sure he’s in a better place.

“I do not know if I will ever come to terms with the way he went or be ok with the fact he’s gone, but I do know this: My Elijah is in heaven,” she said.

She added that he was loved “unconditionally’ by his family and was told so every day.

Elijah’s father also delivered a similar message in his own eulogy.

“He will no longer come to me but I will come to him, so it makes no sense to cry,” Curt Barry, Elijah’s father, said in his eulogy as he choked up. Barry also thanked all the city’s mothers and fathers who have “adopted” Elijah and thanked everyone who helped find his son.

Eulogies were also delivered by Elijah’s stepfather Kito Clarke, daycare teacher Susan Caine, and Elijah’s eight-year-old brother Mikael Barry.

“I love you Elijah. You are the best brother anyone could have. I’m going to miss you so much,” Mikael said. “I’m going to miss when you would hug me and watch me play video games.”

Other children who knew young boy also took part in the service.

Coming up to the alter, Reverend Lauren Hodgson asked the kids what memories they have of Elijah. They recalled games of tag, playing with cars and dancing. Each of the children then lit a candle in memory of their friend and Hodgson shared a book with the children about a fox who falls asleep forever.

Caine recalled a caring boy who was loved by everyone at the daycare where he liked playing with toy cars and running around.

Speaking about Elijah, his stepdad Kito Clarke agreed that the youngster was wise beyond his years.

“He always had his ways to make me feel good and to say the right things. I would look at him and say man, for a little boy, you’re so grown,” Clarke said.

Mourners lined up hours ahead of the funeral at St. Matthew’s United Church near Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue Saturday, the same church where the boy was baptized. When the doors to the church closed around 10:45 a.m. dozens were still outside because the church had reached its capacity of around 600.

The funeral follows a public visitation that was held Thursday at a funeral home near Dufferin Street and Rogers Road.

@Josh_F is on Twitter. Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.