I have noticed that despite doing well in school and seeming to have things very together, this boy's emotions can sometimes be a bit trying. I think his father may be avoiding the essential nurturing that the boy needs, especially now that his mother is gone.
I especially recommend that this young man join a grieving support group. Schools, hospices, and funeral homes often offer them. It doesn't matter how long ago the death was. A grieving group is a safe place to explore all the many emotions and dreams that a person experiences after a loss and which surface all through our lives. Adolescents are especially at risk when they have experienced the loss of someone dear to them.
You can learn yourself much about the grieving process from reading and help him through many of the issues if there are no support groups in your area, or if he doesn't want to participate.