CFB GAGETOWN, N.B. — A young soldier was remembered Saturday as someone who lifted the spirits of those around him and was determined to make a difference in the world through his service in Afghanistan.

About 600 mourners attended a funeral for Cpl. Chad O'Quinn, which was held in St. Luke's Chapel at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. A video feed of the service was played in a second church on the base for about 200 people who couldn't get into St. Luke's.

Maj. Dave Yarker described O'Quinn, 24, as charismatic.

"It is his determination in life that has come to define him," he said. "He died fighting for his country, doing what he believed in and doing it bloody well."

O'Quinn and two comrades -- Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown and Cpl. Danny Oliver Fortin -- died when a roadside bomb exploded near a patrol northwest of Kandahar City on March 3. Two other soldiers were injured.

They had just defused a roadside bomb and were returning to base when the explosion occurred.

Rev. Bruce McKenna said O'Quinn lifted people up.

"His warmth and his smile stayed with you," he said.

Speaking to O'Quinn's family, McKenna said O'Quinn died trying to raise people up in Afghanistan.

"You know the cost of raising up vulnerable people in Afghanistan," he said.

O'Quinn has been described by his family as a free spirit who was always adventurous -- riding and jumping dirt bikes as a youth -- and later doing such things as skydiving.

Naomi Holder, O'Quinn's fiance, said Friday they planned to marry, travel the world, and start a family.

O'Quinn was born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., but the family moved to New Brunswick when he was eight years old.

He attended Oromocto High School, just a short walk from the main gate of CFB Gagetown.

At the time of his death, O'Quinn was a member of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, based at CFB Petawawa, Ont.

He was on his second tour in Afghanistan.

His best friend, Master Cpl. Adam Laton, was also deployed in Afghanistan but not in the same area.

Laton received permission to return to Canada for the funeral and to help support the family.