FENTON, MI – Linden High School junior Josh Pacheco had a heart for theater and an infectious smile, but above all else he cared for others, his family said.

“My son was very funny and exceptionally sensitive and loving to other people’s feelings,” said Pacheco’s mother, Lynnette Capehart.

Pacheco, 17, committed suicide Nov. 27. His parents believe bullying is to blame.

Pacheco was part of the Fenton-based Kidz Theatre Kompany, worked at Tim Hortons, loved his advanced placement politics class and called his four siblings his best friends, Capehart said.

Pacheco also was gay, which led to him being bullied both inside and outside of school, said his mother, Lynnette Capehart.

He told his mother he was gay just two months ago, but Capehart said she wasn’t surprised and she said it made no difference to her. She loved her son just the same.

“A young man with an old soul,” even as a child he was always comfortable talking with adults, especially about plays, history and politics, Capehart said.

He left a note in the truck: “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be strong enough.”

At least 400 people attended Pacheco’s funeral Saturday. Students and teachers from every school he attended — including Redford and Fenton, which he attended before transferring to Linden in seventh grade — were there.

And at the funeral, person after person, family and friends, spoke about Pacheco and how he made a difference in their lives. About 30 people spoke — and many more wanted to speak but there wasn’t time.