By Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

CALGARY - It was a poignant tribute to a "soldier's soldier" just one day before Canadians publicly gather to remember the country's war dead.

Mourners filled a Calgary church Tuesday for the funeral of Sapper Steven Marshall, 24, who was killed Oct. 30 in an explosion while he was on foot patrol near Kandahar city.

Marshal, a member of 11 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton, was the 133rd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission began seven years ago.

A hearse displaying two Canadian flags and carrying Marshall's casket was escorted to the church by a motorcade of Calgary Police Service motorcycles.

A piper then accompanied an honour guard that carried his flag-draped coffin into the church. There were photos of a smiling Marshall, both in uniform and in younger days, and poppies available with the motto "Lest We Forget."

"I want to recognize him for what he will always be in our hearts - a hero who died for what he believed in," said an emotional Evan McDade, a life-long friend. "I love you, man, and am going to miss you like crazy."

McDade recalled Marshall's sense of humour and how much he loved the Calgary Flames hockey team. But he most remembered how his friend wanted to help others.

"Steve was many things to many people. I can tell you what he wasn't. He wasn't a fake," said McDade. "I've always known Steve was a protector. He was never afraid of anything getting in his way."

In Afghanistan, Marshall was on the front line of an effort to minimize the threat of homemade bombs and was working at clearing improvised explosive devices.

His commanding officer said he was doing dangerous work and his funeral the day before Nov. 11 was difficult.

"This is extremely poignant having the funeral the day before Remembrance Day," said Lt.-Col. Mark Flint.