The hole in our collective hearts and nightclub scene is still heavy after the September 8 murder of local DJ and club personality Anthony “Bubbles” Torres, and nearly 100 of Bubbles’ friends, family and fans came together for a Friday afternoon celebration of Anthony Torres’ life in Dolores Park. The gathering was less politically charged than last week’s Rally to Demand Justice for Bubbles, and was more an occasion to share stories, hug it out, and commemorate all the ways that Bubbles touched our lives. SFist was on hand to get pictures and video of the remembrances of how Bubbles was certainly not a choirboy — he was 86’ed from numerous bars, “or 172’ed” according to one speaker — but his energy, light, and remarkable personality cannot be replaced in our lives.

We mortals and muggles can only hope to be eulogized as magnificently as Bubbles was in the 10-minute address above by local filmmaker Matcab. “Mourning Bubbles hasn’t proven itself easy so far. But that’s no surprise, since nothing was ever easy with Bubbles,” he said.

“Processing the idea that we will no longer have the opportunity to enjoy his loud, bright, and cheerful presence is difficult,” Matcab said. “There was rarely downtime, rarely silence, and rarely a nap. Bubbles’ mouth was only shut when he had a balloon.”

Bubbles had family-family too, and his mother, sister, and several relatives were also present. “Let me begin by thanking all of you for the love you shared with my brother, and also for the kindness you’ve extended to us, his family,” his sister said. “As of Anthony’s death, I’ve been able to meet with many of you, and your love for my brother has profoundly affected me and my family in words that I truly can’t describe. We’re eternally grateful.”

The service was organized by legendary local DJ Charlotte the Baroness, with other nightlife notables Galen and Solar in attendance. “He made me feel safe, he made me feel loved, and he made me realize I was still the Baroness,” Charlotte told the crowd. “He was the star of his own movie. He made sure that you knew you were his leading lady or leading guy for whatever adventure he was on that day.”

Unsurprisingly, a very large percentage of mourners brought a bottle of bubbly to Bubbles’ memorial, plus plenty of party bubbles.

“That thunder that we had when Bubbles was ascending, that was no coincidence,” said Housepitality promoter Miguel Solari. “Anthony was a powerful person, braver than most of us. He would live the way he lived, out in the open. He didn’t care what people thought. He would put himself out there, at risk. And that’s bravery beyond what most of us can comprehend.”

It’s the custom to just say nice things and give remembrances when writing up a memorial service, but SFist does have to acknowledge the ongoing controversy on whether Bubbles’ murder was a hate crime. Friends and witnesses continue to insist on the possibility, though the SFPD has thus far maintained otherwise. To that end, though, a community meeting with District Attorney George Gascon and representatives of the police department is scheduled for Monday, October 2 at 5 p.m. at RS94109 (835 Larkin Street, between Geary Street and O’Farrell Street). “Public outcry for the slain victim led to an organized coalition galvanizing over 180 supporters to ask the Mayor and SFPD to seek justice,” organizers said in a release. “Although speculation is rampant, there have been no new updates on the ongoing investigation and the killer remains at large.”

A memorial fund to cover Bubbles’ funeral costs — and to support a possible memorial mural in the Tenderloin — is well past its $10,000 goal, but still accepting donations.

Related: Bubbles Recorded This Love Letter Track To San Francisco Two Months Before He Was Killed

Bubbles pins handed to to guests. Image: Joe Kukura, SFist