‘He loved people’: Burial held for 12-year-old who drowned in Mahogany Lake

The family of a 12-year-old boy who drowned in Calgary’s Mahogany Lake this week laid him to rest on Wednesday.

Damilola Khalid Afolabi’s father, Jubreel Babatunde Afolabi, had to be consoled throughout the service as he recounted the family’s recent move from Ghana in March

It was a move he said his son had embraced with optimism.

“When we were about to leave Ghana, Dami said, ‘Thank you for the good life you are going to give us in Canada,’” he said. “I didn’t know that my son would never be with me at this moment.”

Afolabi had been trying to make friends in his new community. According to officials, he had been playing basketball before he jumped into Mahogany Lake on Sunday.

It took rescuers more than 40 minutes to recover his body.

“He was a great child to me,” his father said. “The meaning of Dami is that you are bringing the joy and happiness… but today he’s no more with me.

“I never prayed that I would be the one to bury my son. I wish Dami was the one to bury me, but not the other way around.”

Those close to the family are now raising funds to support them as they navigate their loss so soon after arriving in Canada. Family spokesperson Patrick Adda described Damilola as a boy who loved people and made friends easily.

“He loved to make friends, he loved people… he’s so friendly and that’s what he likes to do,” Adda said.

Community members are now calling for reforms to private lakes, including higher minimum age requirements, to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The latest incident is prompting renewed calls for caution as warm weather draws more people to the lake. Last August, two 20‑year‑old men drowned in Mahogany Lake.

The Mahogany Lake Association says they were deeply saddened over the child’s death.

“Our hearts are with the child’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. On behalf of our organization, I extend our sincere condolences as we hold the child and their family in our thoughts,” a notice reads.

Mahogany Beach was closed Monday following the incident and reopened Tuesday at 9 a.m.