People of Amherst, N.S., gather to grieve for family of six that died in fire
The community of Amherst, N.S., came together on Friday to collectively grieve the loss of six of their own who were taken much too soon.
All six members of the family -- two adults and four children -- were tragically killed after a fire burned in their camper trailer in Millvale, N.S., nearly two weeks ago.
The heartbreak felt by an entire town was evident as hundreds of people gathered at Victoria Square in downtown Amherst Friday afternoon to show their support.
"The grieving and the loss that we feel with an entire family gone in one moment -- its a hard concept for anyone to gather," said Amherst mayor David Kogon. "I've never been through anything like this. And I think to start the grieving process, one really has to begin with this."
At the public memorial, the community heard memories of each member of the young family.
Michelle Robertson's cousin Molly Ferdinand said Michelle was a loving mother of four.
"As long as her children were safe and happy, the rest didn't matter," Ferdinand said.
Ferdinand said Michelle's partner, RJ Sears was a fun-loving and kind father.
"What I loved about RJ the most was how good he was to Michelle and the kids," Ferdinand said.
Madison was the oldest child, but just 11 years old.
"She took her role as big sister very seriously," Ferdinand said. "She was very tentative and protective of her younger brothers."
Eight-year-old Ryder, always followed in his father's footsteps.
"He was a happy content little baby, and when he became older, he just wanted to do everything dad was doing," Ferdinand said.
Four-year-old Jaxson was considered by many to be an old soul.
"He loved his big brother and quickly tried to keep up with him," Ferdinand said.
Of three-year-old CJ, the youngest of the four children, Ferdinand said: "Being the baby, and also having health concerns at the start, he got away with a thing or two."
Amherst Fire Department members served as the honour guard, along with teachers from Cumberland North Academy where three of the children attended school.
"The children, the friends, the family members, of the four little ones are going to have a real difficult time dealing with that loss," Kogon said.
The outdoor ceremony was granted an exemption from public health to allow for this larger gathering, as long as participants could show proof of vaccination and remain masked.
For those who attended, it seemed like a small concession in order to show their support at such an important time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.