Over 2,400 fans attended a public visitation Sunday in Gordon LightfootB次元官网网址檚 hometown in central Ontario to say goodbye to the folk singer-songwriter.
In the pouring rain, a line stretched down the street outside St. PaulB次元官网网址檚 United Church in Orillia, Ont., where Lightfoot once sang as a choir boy.
Inside, each person had a moment with the late musical legend as the line shuffled past his closed casket. It was adorned with a large bouquet of red roses, as well as a single pink one.
Within the bouquet, a card handwritten by his widow, Kim Lightfoot, read: B次元官网网址淢y heartB次元官网网址檚 treasure.B次元官网网址� For the first hour, she greeted visitors near where they entered the building.
Some of LightfootB次元官网网址檚 children and grandchildren also attended the ceremony, which was a subdued affair without any speeches.
Above the procession, a lifetime of photos projected on screens in a running slideshow. Some of LightfootB次元官网网址檚 most famous photos were combined with images of him with his famous musician friends and an array of family group photos.
Over the sound system, a continuous flow of LightfootB次元官网网址檚 songs played throughout the day.
Two hours after it began, security for the event estimated nearly 1,700 people had already gone through the church, a number which steadily climbed until the visitation closed around 8 p.m.
Steve Porter and his wife, Diane Porter, were first in line at 10:30 a.m., two and a half hours before the doors opened. Not knowing how big the crowds would be, they wanted to be there early to pay their respects to the singer, who died Monday at 84 years old.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like IB次元官网网址檓 honouring Gord in my own little way,B次元官网网址� he said while standing in line.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 representing my family and my ancestors who are all gone and who loved him dearly.B次元官网网址�
Myeengun Henry travelled from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation near London, Ont, with a gift of tobacco to honour Lightfoot. He carried the wing of an eagle in his hand, which he said was a symbolic gesture of the highest-flying bird.
B次元官网网址淚t can see the farthest and I kind of relate that to Gord,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淗e could see things other people couldnB次元官网网址檛 and the eagle feather is perfect for thinking about Gord B次元官网网址� (He) sent the truth to many people and so I have so much respect for his legacy.B次元官网网址�
Antonette Dinovo and her husband travelled a couple of hours from Markham, Ont., outside of Toronto.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important to be here today,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t represents the loss we feel and a celebration.B次元官网网址�
Many local establishments took those sentiments to heart. Several bars and one of the local record stores planned to recognize LightfootB次元官网网址檚 influence through live music performances this weekend.
David LaBute, who drove four hours from Windsor, Ont., with his friend, said the spirit of Lightfoot could be felt in the streets of the city.
B次元官网网址淭here are tributes all over the place,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really nice to see a town take ownership of one of their own.B次元官网网址�
LightfootB次元官网网址檚 bassist, Rick Haynes, who had worked with the musician for 55 years, said the outpouring of emotion from visitors B次元官网网址渕eans a lot to the family and a lot to me, personally,B次元官网网址� and certainly would be meaningful to Lightfoot himself.
B次元官网网址淚 think he would be humbled by it B次元官网网址� because he loved the community and he loved his fans,B次元官网网址� Haynes said inside the church.
B次元官网网址淕ordon was the best. There are a lot of great songwriters out there, I donB次元官网网址檛 think any of them are better than Gordon.B次元官网网址�
Lightfoot also seemed to win the loyalty of manB次元官网网址檚 best friend, particularly a dog named Taurus. The sullen pup, owned by a friend and tour mate, arrived at the visitation with his master and soon laid down underneath the musicianB次元官网网址檚 casket.
At 2 p.m., church bells at St. PaulB次元官网网址檚 rang 30 times, 29 for the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and once in honour of Lightfoot. It was one of the many tributes to Lightfoot in Orillia since his death on May 1.
On Saturday, a previously planned concert tribute to his career at the Orillia Opera House became a celebration of his life and career.
Elsewhere, a book of condolences could also be signed at TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Massey Hall, a venue where Lightfoot frequently performed throughout his career.
A private funeral is to take place Monday in Orillia, where Lightfoot is to be buried alongside his parents.
B次元官网网址擠avid Friend, The Canadian Press
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