Hundreds bid farewell to Egbert Gaye at ‘extraordinary funeral’ – Montreal | 24CA News
The overflow crowd on the 1,500-capacity Seventh Day Adventist church in Westmount Thursday morning would possibly’ve led some passers-by to consider there was a celeb’s funeral underway.
Though Egbert Gaye didn’t spend a lot time within the limelight, those that attended his funeral mentioned he was a legend.
“He had a tremendous impact on our community,” mentioned leisure producer Rickey Daley.
Radio host Howard Carr agreed. “This is not an ordinary funeral,” he identified. “It’s a state funeral for a statesman.”
Gaye, the founder and editor of the Montreal Community Contact newspaper, died unexpectedly final week.
According to the mourners, the newspaper he began greater than 30 years in the past to serve the town’s Black and Caribbean communities not solely helped to attach and maintain these teams collectively – it gave them a voice.
“He exposed youth who were neglected, and now their talents can ride the wind into success,” retired businessman Barry Dan said exterior the church simply earlier than the service.
“He was intrepid too. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.”
People on the funeral famous that Gaye additionally pressured conversations about troublesome points whereas being humorous, beneficiant and mentoring many.
“He was always available, somehow, to all of us,” spoken phrase artist Roen Higgins informed Global News after paying tribute to him throughout the service. “He was readily accessible and always a listening ear.”
She added that his work, his dedication helped bridge cultures, so it was no shock that his funeral was attended by folks from all walks of life.
“Black and white and old and young, everybody,” longtime buddy Gemma Raeburn-Baynes agreed. “Egbert brought everybody together.”
Municipal politicians together with the City of Montreal govt committee chair, in addition to provincial elected representatives, had been additionally current.
Quebec minister for the combat in opposition to racism Christopher Skeete, himself of Caribbean descent, acknowledged Gaye’s work with an award.
“It is the National Assembly medal,” he informed the household throughout the service. “I would like to honour Egbert.”
Skeete can also be donating $5,000 to the newspaper. The household is vowing to maintain that legacy alive.
“We might need a little time to regroup,” defined his daughter-in-law Djemira de Pagter-Mitchell throughout the funeral.
Standing together with her was her husband, Gaye’s son, Emar Mitchell.
“This is not the end of Egbert Gaye,” mentioned de Pagter-Mitchell. “Our son is named after Egbert Gaye.” The child, Gaye’s grandson, was born simply days after his dying.
Mourners consider it’s everybody’s accountability to pool sources now to ensure the paper and group stay in touch.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
