The parents of Craig Kelloway, who was stabbed in a fight on Saturday, say they are devastated by the loss of their son who loved his job and loved the city where he worked.
Harvey and Monica Kelloway spoke to CTV from their home in Nova Scotia on Tuesday.
Harvey says his son was a kind and gentle-hearted soul. "His passion was in teaching and he loved the students at the school in Calgary."
Monica, fighting back tears, says she was devastated when she lost her baby. "I can't get over it yet."
Harvey, who is a retired 30-year police veteran, says he was contacted by Calgary police and they told him Craig had been involved in a fight after a neighbourhood gathering and stabbed in the stoamch. "He passed away very quickly."
Support has been strong for the grieving parents and they say they've received lots of support from the local police and community. "You couldn't ask for any more."
Craig Kelloway had recently moved to Auburn Bay and was attending a neighbourhood barbecue when he met another man there for the first time.
He soon went over to the other man's home where, at some point, police say there was an argument.
“An altercation later took place between two people and one of the men died as a result,” says Staff Sergeant Doug Andrus with the Calgary Police Service.
Police have confirmed that Kelloway died as the result of a stabbing.
Nick Rasberry, 30, was arrested and has since been charged with second-degree murder.
Neighbours describe him as clean cut and friendly, and say seeing blood on the footsteps of his home is shocking.
Kelloway is being remembered as a wonderful teacher by colleagues and students at David Thompson Middle School.
“He would joke about stuff, but when you needed to talk about stuff, he was there and he always knew what to say,” says former student Devon Southwell.
Kelloway was a native of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, but lived in the city for the past six years and worked as a math and science teacher.
Students say he had a passion for everything and always got them to do their best.
Flags are at half mast at David Thompson School and support is being offered to teachers and students who need it.
Police are still looking for a motive in the slaying.
Kelloway leaves behind a wife and a five-month-old son.
(With files from CTV Atlantic, Stephanie Brennan, and Bill Macfarlane)