KENTVILLE, N.S. – Family and community members packed the White Family Funeral Home in Kentville, N.S. Wednesday morning to say their final goodbyes to Harley Lawrence, a homeless man who died in a bus shelter fire in Berwick, N.S.
Lawrence, 62, died in the early morning hours of Oct. 23, when the shelter on Commercial Street erupted in flames.
One by one, mourners packed into the building to say goodbye to Lawrence, each one with their own reason to be here.
“That wasn’t a nice thing that happened to that man, and I’m hoping there will be closure for the family as well as Berwick itself,” said Faye Young, fighting back tears.
Arthur Taggard said although many people are in need of assistance from the government and their community, “we don’t seem to help them until this happens.”
The investigation into what caused the fire and how Lawrence died remain under investigation.
An autopsy was preformed, but police say they need more time to investigate the case, and continue to call the death suspicious.
During the hour-long service, about 200 people listened to stories about Lawrence. More than two-dozen of his family members also attended the funeral.
A letter written by Lawrence’s sister Marie thanked each and every person who had helped him over the years.
His brother Ron said even though Harley pushed his family away, their love never wavered.
Dorothy Saltzman said she “felt like Harley was our little angel of Berwick. He was kind to us and sure didn’t deserve what he got.”
Pastor John Andrew, who knew Lawrence from a brief stay at the Open Arms Shelter in Kentville, said the homeless man abandoned a normal life because of illness and fear .
Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil on Saturday night at the bus shelter where Lawrence died.
After the funeral, the hearse with Lawrence’s remains was escorted by police to a nearby cemetery.
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