TEENAGER Ty Townsley was remembered this weekend as lanterns filled the sky above his home and former teammates held a minute's silence.
The 15-year-old, of Tuffley Avenue, died at home in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday, January 6.
Since then tributes have flooded in for the former Gloucester Academy pupil, who played for Coney Hill RFC Under 16s.
At a Gloucester Cathedral service on Friday afternoon, Ty's mum Becky read a prayer.
Later on Friday his loved ones gathered at the Wagon Works Sport and Social Club, which is just yards from Ty's home, to release lanterns with messages tied to them.
Ty's best friend Elijah Weir organised the event.
His mother Tracy Salisbury said: "It was amazing to see so many people there, it just showed how loved Ty was.
"He is so badly missed by everyone."
Serena Meredith, a close family friend, said: "Our lives will never be the same again now.
"Everyone who knew Ty just thought the world of him, he touched so many people's lives. I don't know what we're all going to do now.
"It was great to see so many people there releasing lanterns, it was really beautiful."
Silence
Meanwhile, yesterday at the Coney Hill RFC game between the Under 17s and Longlevens in the county cup, a minute's silence was held and Ty's under 16s teammates, who didn't have a game, joined the tribute wearing their kit.
They have had "Ty" stitched onto their rugby shirts as a tribute to the popular teen.
His friend and teammateClayton Dee, 16, from Churchdown, said: "We wanted his name on our shirts so he'd always be with us.
"He never failed to make people laugh. We all miss him so much. He was really popular.
"Rest in peace mate, we know you're watching over us all the time."
Elliot Bailey, 16, a pupil at Gloucester Academy, said: "He was a legend.
"He was always having a laugh, he made everyone smile.
"We all miss him a lot."
Jordan Douglas, 15, from Gloucester, met Ty when the pair played together at Widden when they were younger.
He said: "Whenever we went on tour he made it complete, he was such a funny guy."
Coney Hill Under 17s lost the emotional match 11-9.
Meanwhile Veronica Lee, whose son Cain Westcarr died in June last year, has taken to Facebook to pay her respects.
She said: "Sending love and support to all of Ty's friends and family xxx."
Nearly 3,000 people have joined the Facebook page set up in memory of Ty called "R.I.P. Ty Townsley".
