Nov 23 - a huge turnout

Estimated at 300 by the funeral director, I don't think that counted the fire fighters, numbering probably 100.  That's just the ones in uniform ... from all the neighboring communities, on both sides of the border, and a large number from Montreal where Jim worked for 35 years. 

We stood in a receiving line from 11am until after 2pm.  The receiving line included Sheryl, Jim's siblings and their spouses, Sandy & me, Wayne & Mary & their son Mark; later David & Vanda & Jeffrey.  After that, we walked the gauntlet through fire fighters at attention and sat down. There were a number of speakers, perhaps less about the person that you might hear at a typical funeral, more about the respect in which he was held and the importance of community and service.  All this was held in the fire station, fittingly, and a fire truck led the somber procession to the funeral home, about 1/2 mile up the road, transporting Jim's ashes.  Today, Sunday, there will be a short ceremony at a grave site.

I'm trying to remember all those in attendance from Sandy's family - Aunt Vi (93 !), Michael, Carol & Allister, Dennis & Cathy, Brian, Glen & Elinor with Diane - I think that's the extent of the Hawkins cousins, plus a number of adult children. 

The service was originally planned to be at the church but the furnace had broken down so everything was at the fire station  - visitation, service, luncheon - other than the procession to and return from, the funeral home.

Life does go on, for some of us, for a time.  Amongst the tears, there were some smiles.  Sheryl has lived in Hemmingford all her life and is active in the community.  Wayne was frequently in town and would have been the type to spend some time at the Legion.  They are well known.  Sandy has been gone for a long time.  "I didn't know that she had a sister", was heard.  Then again, Jim's cousins and family, of which there are many, many, knew of us as the Florida couple.  Each year Jim's cousins would hold a get-together, for those in Florida.  Jim and Sheryl had stayed in our house while we traveled. There were even cousins who knew our house, had stayed there, we'd never met.  Those were funny moments. 

Jeffrey will head out today as will David & Vanda.  D&V will leave from the internment; Jeffrey beforehand.  There's snow coming through south of us; he might have a long drive.  Sandy & I will leave tomorrow a.m. as will Wayne & Mary & Mark.

Onward.