Friends and family gathered at a candlelight vigil at KelownaB次元官网网址檚 temporary overnight shelter at Recreation Park on Wednesday night to pay their respects to Shane Bourdin, a father of three who died in the area earlier this week.

During the event, approximately 75 people held glow sticks and candles around a memorial to honour Bourdin and the loved ones he left behind.

One person who traveled all the way from Alberta to attend the ceremony was BourdinB次元官网网址檚 mother Theresa Whittier.

During the event, Whittier said she was frustrated that nothing more had been done to save her sonB次元官网网址檚 life while he was camping in the cold.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 so angry I canB次元官网网址檛 even cry right now. My son died being out here,B次元官网网址� said Whittier.

B次元官网网址淣ow that heB次元官网网址檚 died, the city is rushing to put all these people indoors. Why did this not happen while my son was still alive?B次元官网网址�

Whittier said her son has left behind a number of close family members, including three children.

B次元官网网址淢y son is dead. HeB次元官网网址檚 gone forever and his kids will never see him again and neither will I,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 need to be proud of what he has done to help out all of his family down here in the tents. IB次元官网网址檓 so proud of my son and IB次元官网网址檒l hold onto him in my heart forever.B次元官网网址�

Kelowna resident Bryn McNair, who visited the shelter over the last two weeks to help out those in need, said Bourdin would often go out of his way to help other people.

B次元官网网址淗e always had a huge smile and was always willing to help,B次元官网网址� said McNair

B次元官网网址淚f any of us came in with food or water, he was the first to say B次元官网网址楬ey, can I help you.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Kelowna residents at the vigil also dropped off Naloxone kits and toiletries to help get people experiencing homelessness at the shelter through the winter.

According to officials, paramedics responded to a call for an unconscious man at Recreation Avenue site in the north end of the city early in the morning on Dec. 16. He was transported to Kelowna General Hospital, where he later died.

RCMP Const. Solana Par茅 said the B.C. Coroners Service was notified and is now investigating BourdinB次元官网网址檚 death.

In November, the city moved people experiencing homelessness on Leon Avenue to two different in the north end of the city B次元官网网址� a site at Recreation Avenue and another at the base of Knox Mountain Park.

According to Homeless Hub, approximately 286 people are experiencing homelessness in Kelowna.