It was a day to remember the far-reaching impact of a prominent community member whose life tragically ended earlier this month
Jeremy McGoran, a former radio personality and supporter of mental health awareness, died by suicide on June 9. A memorial service was held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre for McGoran on Monday.
香蕉视频直播淭he best that you can do is take care of yourself. Jeremy would not want this for you, he had so much care for other people who were struggling like him, and so much love,香蕉视频直播 said his widow Mare McHale in a speech on stage. 香蕉视频直播淭ake care of yourself. This is not OK. And I feel a real responsibility to say that to you.香蕉视频直播
McHale also spoke in a pre-recorded, unscripted video.
香蕉视频直播淗e was the first one who ever thought I was funny,香蕉视频直播 she said. 香蕉视频直播淗e was the first person, or one of the first who I was authentically myself around. I never had to mince words around him. We talked about everything. I never had to pretend to be anything; I never had to put on a front with him.
香蕉视频直播淎nd he thought I was funny, he thought I was beautiful, and he was just so encouraging and so respectful.香蕉视频直播
McHale recalled meeting McGoran at a Prince George radio station, where he was an afternoon show host and she was a reporter, and later on a news anchor.
香蕉视频直播淩ight away, Jeremy stood out to me. His excitement and passion and loud voice, which you know, you just couldn香蕉视频直播檛 not hear,香蕉视频直播 McHale said. 香蕉视频直播淪omething that struck me right away was the passion that he had for radio, music, sports, but for his career.香蕉视频直播
McHale said the two 香蕉视频直播渜uickly fell in love,香蕉视频直播 but she said one of the most remarkable things was him leaving his post as an afternoon show DJ to live with her in Penticton after she felt homesick. McGoran found a full-time job doing afternoons on EZ Rock AM 800 after doing a year on Sunday mornings filling in. He quickly became an integral part of the community.
香蕉视频直播淲hether it was cheering for the (Penticton) Vees, or emceeing countless events, championing so many causes and just really building a following on EZ Rock,香蕉视频直播 she said.
McGoran was known, among other things, for his love of the Detroit Red Wings.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 remember when it was, but they lost the Stanley Cup and I haven ever seen a grown man so heartbroken,香蕉视频直播 McHale recalled. 香蕉视频直播淗e had to take a walk. I think he broke a few sticks that day,香蕉视频直播 she added with a laugh.
Along with McHale香蕉视频直播檚, dozens of the couple香蕉视频直播檚 followers on social media, along with friends and family members, sent in videos talking about McGoran.
香蕉视频直播淗e definitely impacted my life with his courageousness and bravery of speaking up about mental health issues,香蕉视频直播 said one woman who said she had never met him, but got to know the family through McHale香蕉视频直播檚 YouTube channel. 香蕉视频直播淎lso, just in general, being such a great person and being able to be brave in times of difficulty, to be brave and make changes in your life.香蕉视频直播
That also included submissions from across B.C., as far east as Chicago even across the Pacific Ocean in Japan.
香蕉视频直播淚 have never had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy or Mare, but I香蕉视频直播檝e welcomed them into my life because of social media, through YouTube,香蕉视频直播 said a woman from Chicago. 香蕉视频直播淛eremy has impacted my life by showing me what a supportive partner is. I香蕉视频直播檝e been in a long-term relationship that has been difficult. I watch Mare and Jer, and the times that Jeremy has continued to try and (his) self-improvement 香蕉视频直播 it香蕉视频直播檚 encouraging.香蕉视频直播
The community rallied to celebrate his legacy on Monday and raised over $7,200 for his family through a silent auction, a raffle draw, food sales donated by Tim Hortons, Tickleberrys and a barbecue.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 just amazing to see how many people have turned up and are smiling and excited to be here,香蕉视频直播 said organizer Amanda Lysohirka, who added that the group had to restock on burgers and buns after running out of the more than 300 they had on hand.
The event was an intersection of two of McGoran香蕉视频直播檚 passions 香蕉视频直播 sports and mental health awareness. The event was put on by his slopitch team, who wore green ribbons for mental health, and included a table of mental health resources.
@dustinrgodfrey
dustin.godfrey@pentictonwesternnews.com
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