DELMONT (KDKA) — A viewing was held Monday for the young man who died during last week’s shooting at Western Psych.

Michael Schaab grew up in Westmoreland County and hundreds of family and friends came out to pay their respects.

Schaab’s father wanted to thank the community for the overwhelming support they’ve showed his family over the past few days.

He says he can’t begin to put his grief into words, but says the time is being made easier by the support he’s getting from those around him.

Schaab’s family was supposed to spend this past weekend planning his wedding.

He had just proposed to his longtime girlfriend on Valentine’s Day and couldn’t wait to plan their big day.

Instead, those who knew him are now remembering a young man whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.

“Michael, he made an impact on everybody he met,” Harry Schaab, the victim’s father, said. “It just melts my heart – from doctors to employees to friends and family that are pouring out love for me and my family, you know.”

At least 400 people came to the Bash-Nied funeral home in Delmont Sunday night and even more were expected Monday.

Among them were family, friends, co-workers and even patients.

“It’s just unbelievable that the stories that we’ve heard from his co-workers who’ve told us about how he broke through to a patient, how he was able to connect with a patient who was – they couldn’t get through to,” Joe Daum, Michael’s uncle and godfather, said.

Schaab loved his family and fiancée more than anything. But he also loved his job where he worked as a therapist with geriatric patients.

“He enjoyed being able to get a smile on person’s face through dementia, whatever problems they had,” his father said.

At the time of the shooting on Thursday, Michael was headed back to his office with lunch in hand after putting a down payment on grad school.

His father says right now, the family is getting by with overwhelming support from the community.

“It’s not gonna fill the void in my heart, but it sure helps us get through these next couple days,” Harry Schaab said.

Funeral services are planned for Tuesday.

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