Mystic — Mitchell Thomas Kuflik was remembered in a ceremony Saturday for his compassion, larger-than-life spirit, and the joy and humor he brought to others.

Underneath a sunny sky, friends, family members, and colleagues gathered at noon by the schooner Argia on the east bank of the Mystic River to share memories and celebrate his life.

Kuflik, 26, was an officer and engineer aboard the cargo ship El Faro that sank near the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin. He was a 2007 graduate of Fitch Senior High School in Groton and a 2011 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy.

Gatherers at Mystic River Park hugged each other and listened to upbeat seafaring songs to pay homage to Kuflik's love of the water. Attendees joined in to sing along to "Pay Me My Money Down."

Friends and family members then gave remarks in honor of Kuflik while they stood on-board the Argia, a schooner for which Kuflik had been a crew member for six years.

His father, Greg Kuflik, said Mitchell was kind, smart and fun. He was everything his father and mother, Donna Griffin, hoped for in a son.

"As his dad, what I hoped for all his life and saw, with great blessing, was his confidence: a strength to experience life courageously, fearlessly and fully," he said.

Mitchell Kuflik was a brother, who was both a protector and a buddy, to Eden Kuflik; a best friend and partner to fiancée Brittany Shinn; and a great friend and co-worker.

"He was loyal and compassionate to anyone in need," said his father. "He was honest and real in words and deeds."

Kuflik's friends and colleagues shared anecdotes about his zest for life, carefree attitude, and selflessness.

In a letter read aloud, Kuflik's friend and Maine Maritime Academy classmate, Daniel Woods, remembered Kuflik's "big heart and good character." 

Another friend and classmate, Curtis Libby, shared a humorous story of Kuflik's fun-loving prank, the "Great Pumpkin Heist." Libby said Kuflik had spotted a large pumpkin on the porch of his friends' neighbors that would have taken two people to carry.

But Kuflik was up for the challenge. His friends saw him one night carrying the pumpkin as fast as he could, and he later carved a Union Jack into the pumpkin before returning it.

The neighbors were happy to have their pumpkin back and also thrilled about the Union Jack, which they thought was a "hilarious and great improvement," he said.

Libby said one of Mitch's greatest gifts was that he was willing to take risks in the pursuit of living his life to the fullest and created good memories.

"I'm very grateful to have called Mitch my friend," he said.

After the remarks, friends and family raised their glasses in a whisky toast, a request of Kuflik's, and applauded.

As seafaring songs played, many attendees remained on the bank of the river to speak to another and share their stories and memories of Kuflik.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich