Climbing aboard a bus in Amherst, N.S., each of the nearly 40 members of the Defenders Motorcycle Club of Canada had a heavy heart as the travelled towards the Moncton funeral of one of their own,
The group of first responders and former Canadian Armed Forces members came from across Canada to honour Francis “Frank” Deschênes, a New Brunswick RCMP officer who died last week when he was struck by a vehicle while helping stranded motorists change a tire.
“He is one of those people you know you can count on,” said Bill Digdon, who was friends with Deschênes since he first joined the club four years ago.
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The six chapters of the club gathered together at the request of Deschênes wife.
All sported leather vests to honour their comrade.
“Thirty-five years old and he had his whole life ahead of him and married only four months ago,” said Digdon.
“In fact it was in the same church where we are attending his funeral today. It’s hard for us.”
Club member and retired RCMP officer, Joel MacPhee, decided to wear his biker vest instead of his red serge in order to honour his friend’s love of motorcycles.
“He’s like family to us. We are grieving and mourning like a family would,” he said.
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It was also a difficult day for the hundreds of police officers and first responders from across Canada who came to Moncton to attend the funeral
Together, they filled three churches where they heard about the life and the legacy of Frank Deschênes.
His friend and colleague David Connors gave a touching eulogy.
“We all have one thing in common and that is Frances Deschênes and we are all better for knowing him,” he said.
His friend and colleagues spoke of how much he loved his wife, family, his job, his dog and helping others.
The Commanding Officer for the Nova Scotia RCMP, Assistant Commissioner Brian Brennan spoke of the tragic loss of the force and said Deschênes exemplified respect and honour.
“Every time you stop to give someone a hand and every time you stop to do a selfless act you will keep Frank’s spirit alive.”