CALGARY (CBC) - The flag flew at half-mast outside Calgary's ambulance headquarters on Wednesday, as paramedics mourned the death of Cpl. Michael Starker, a fellow medic and military reservist who died Tuesday in Afghanistan.

"His friends would describe him as being a man with a heart of gold, as being a very great man," said Emergency Medical Services chief Tom Samson.

"He was one of those individuals that brought out the very best in everyone. He was one of those guys that would stand up when you needed somebody to stand up."

Starker, 36, was killed when he and other Canadian soldiers came under fire as they conducted a foot patrol in the Pashmul region, in the Zhari district outside Kandahar city. Another Canadian soldier was injured in the attack, but expected to recover.

Starker had been serving in Afghanistan since December but had a long involvement with the military, his colleagues said. The married man, who was born and raised in Calgary, had served with the Armed Forces before becoming a paramedic in the city in 2005. And whether working as a paramedic, or a soldier, Starker always tried to help people in need whenever he could, his colleagues said.

"I remember him just being a very compassionate individual who just really cared about his patients," said EMS Chaplain John Hein.

Solemn ramp ceremony

Starker's body is on the way back to Canada Wednesday following a solemn ramp ceremony in Kandahar.

Bagpipes played as thousands of soldiers lined the tarmac and saluted Starker's casket, which was wrapped in a Canadian flag. Padre Jim Short recited a prayer that memorialized Starker as a son, husband, friend, paramedic and soldier.

Short described Starker as humble, compassionate, skilled and charismatic with the spirit of a warrior. He said Starker lifted everyone's spirits and would work to make all his friends laugh and smile.

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