“It represents the loss we feel and a celebration.” “I think it’s important to be here today,” she said. “He could see things other people couldn’t and the eagle feather is perfect for thinking about Gord … (He) sent the truth to many people and so I have so much respect for his legacy.”Īntonette Dinovo and her husband travelled a couple of hours from Markham, Ont., outside of Toronto. “It can see the farthest and I kind of relate that to Gord,” he said. He carried the wing of an eagle in his hand, which he said was a symbolic gesture of the highest-flying bird. Myeengun Henry travelled from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation near London, Ont, with a gift of tobacco to honour Lightfoot. “I’m representing my family and my ancestors who are all gone and who loved him dearly.” “I feel like I’m honouring Gord in my own little way,” he said while standing in line. 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. 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. 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. Over the sound system, a continuous flow of Lightfoot’s songs played throughout the day. Some of Lightfoot’s most famous photos were combined with images of him with his famous musician friends and an array of family group photos. Some of Lightfoot’s children and grandchildren also attended the ceremony, which was a subdued affair without any speeches.Ībove the procession, a lifetime of photos projected on screens in a running slideshow. Within the bouquet, a card handwritten by his widow, Kim Lightfoot, read: “My heart’s treasure.” For the first hour, she greeted visitors near where they entered the building. It was adorned with a large bouquet of red roses, as well as a single pink one. Inside, each person had a moment with the late musical legend as the line shuffled past his closed casket. Paul’s United Church in Orillia, Ont., where Lightfoot once sang as a choir boy. In the pouring rain, a line stretched down the street outside St. Over 2,400 fans attended a public visitation Sunday in Gordon Lightfoot’s hometown in central Ontario to say goodbye to the folk singer-songwriter.
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