Community comes together to remember Harley Lawrence

BERWICK, N.S. – There were many questions surrounding Harley Lawrence’s life, now even more linger with his death.

The 62-year old grew up in Halifax, and was one of nine children.  Somehow, Lawrence ended up homeless and six months ago showed up on the streets of Berwick.

“I met him and he just captured my heart, and I don’t know what it was. I guess it was because he was alone, and maybe refused so much help that I felt more drawn to him” said Kelly Grant, a nearby resident who often spoke to Harley and brought him coffee.

“In a way I think he’s looking down, and happy that this many people really did care. Cared enough to show up, and say goodbye” she added.

Saturday night, hundreds of people of all ages gathered at the site where Lawrence died. They came to remember, reflect and begin the healing process. Some of his family were also on hand for the service, which many referred to as his funeral.

“He was a very quiet man” said Debra Lawrence, Harley’s sister-in-law. When asked why she chose to attend the service, she had this say: “Our goodbyes for Harley. It’s for Harley, nobody else. That’s all I can say.”

Lawrence died early Wednesday morning in a burning bus shelter. Police are saying little about how he died or what started the fire. They do. however, continue to call his death suspicious.

Rumours have been swirling around the town all week, but Pastor John Andrew was encouraging everyone to use the vigil as a time to remember Harley and celebrate human life.

“There’s lots of rumours and speculation that perhaps this is the result of a malicious act, and we certainly hope that isn’t the case. If that is the case, that’s a whole other matter and then the town is facing a whole other tragedy separate from this” said Andrews before he began the vigil.

Lawrence’s death has opened many people’s eyes in this community and across the province, to issues surrounding housing, poverty and mental health.

“I think that this speaks to what our community is about, rather then the circumstances surrounding why we’re here and I think that despite anybody’s circumstances or life situation, how they end up in a situation like Harley was in, at the end of the day this shows how a community can come together” said Angie MacEachern, who read a poem she wrote for Harley during the service.

A bench will be placed near the bus shelter as a permanent legacy to Harley.

“It’s meant to be a memorial to Harley. They asked me that it could be placed somewhere here in this area. They didn’t want it in the bus shelter. They wanted it somewhere near and so we’ve agreed to do that as a town” said Don Clarke, the town’s mayor.