A memorial service was held for the Peekskill teen who drowned in the Delaware River.

Loved ones gathered to remember and honor the life of 17-year-old Liony Santos at the Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home on Washington Street in Peekskill.

The teen was swept away while swimming in the river at Cedar Rapids on July 4.

He was the fifth person to drown in the river in a two-week period.

News 12 spoke with Liony's dad, Roy Escobar, who said Liony was the oldest of three boys and had the mindset very early in life that he wanted to be somebody. He says he wanted to buy his father a house one day and support his family.

Escobar says Liony's dream was to become a professional soccer player. He had been training to go pro since he was just 12 years old, and was being scouted by Syracuse University. He says the sad reality is that he will never get to see his play for Syracuse - not even walk across the stage and get his high school diploma.

"I shouldn't be here having a service in the name of him. He should be here for me, remembering me. Not me doing it for him. No father no father, no mother should ever grieve the way I'm grieving," he says.

To carry out his legacy, Roy says he will push his sons and Liony's teammates to reach for whatever dreams that have, even becoming a professional soccer player.