The Royal Military College is mourning the sudden death of a fourth-year cadet and captain of the fencing team.

Harrison Kelertas, 22, of Montreal was found dead on campus Thursday morning. Sources report that Kelertas was discovered in his room after he didn’t show for roll call. The honours politics student, and member of Frontenac (4) Squadron, was scheduled to graduate on May 19. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, which is investigating the death, reports there were no signs of foul play.

"The circumstances of the sudden death are currently under investigation by the CFNIS," Navy Lt. Jennifer Fidler, public affairs officer for RMC, told the Whig-Standard Friday. "We can’t comment any further on the details so not to compromise the investigation."

In an email sent college-wide to all officer cadets and RMC staff on Thursday night, the commandant of RMC, Brig.-Gen. Sean Friday, wrote that Kelertas’s family has been notified and that RMC will do everything to support them during this time.

"It had been my great pleasure to get to know Harrison over the past year, most notably watching him excel as the captain of the fencing Team," Friday said. "His future was exceptionally bright, and to say he will be missed is not enough to express how terribly his absence will be felt by us all."

With one more day of final exams left at the university, Friday encouraged students who believe the loss might affect their exams to reach out to their captains or professors. Friday said everyone at the college will be affected by the loss of Kelertas.

"Now is the time for us all to come together in support of each other," Friday said. "Please do not hesitate to reach out for help and, remember, you are never alone at RMCC. Please extend a caring hand to anyone who might need support and help them get in contact with resources that can assist them. …

"Please watch out for one another and please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our support services."

Past stories in the Whig-Standard and posts on the RMC Paladins Athletics Facebook page chronicled Kelertas’s athletic achievements.

Last March, Kelertas was named the men’s fencing team’s most valuable player at the RMC Paladins awards banquet.

In March 2015, Kelertas was presented with the Tommy Smart Cup as RMC’s male athlete of the year, was named an Ontario University Athletics all-star, and was ranked 26th nationally in senior men’s epee. In February 2015, Kelertas won bronze medals in both the individual and team epee events at the Ontario university championships.

In 2014, Kelertas was presented with the Hutton Trophy as second-year athlete of the year.

As a first-year cadet in 2013, Kelertas was part of the men’s fencing team that won gold at the Challenge Epee Commandant at Ecole Royale Militaire in Brussels.

Fencing coaches Patricia and David Howes are currently in Italy. They each posted emotional tributes on Facebook.

"I cannot even express the overwhelming sadness and loss I feel right now. I’m inconsolable and truly devastated," Patricia Howes wrote. "Harrison Kelertas, I knew I would have to say goodbye at graduation, but I never thought it would be a goodbye like this. You were an amazing young man, leader and fencer."

David Howes said early Friday morning that there is a big hole in their hearts.

"You will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing you," he wrote. "My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

"To the fencing team, I’m sorry we can’t be there with you right now so please be there for each other and be generous with the hugs."

scrosier@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/StephattheWhig

— With files from Postmedia Network