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Newfoundland: Mourners Gather at Prayer Service

by Blue Crush | March 18, 2009 at 04:39 pm

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Bells at the largest church in Newfoundland and Labrador tolled Wednesday evening for the 17 people lost last week when an offshore oil helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Roman Catholic Basilica of St. John the Baptist was filled to capacity this evening, as mourners came to pay their respects to the 17 lost in last week's helicopter crash off Canada's eastern coast.
The multi-faith service was attended by dignitaries such as Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Danny Williams and Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie. "This is a prayer event and they just want to come and show their support to the families," said John Ridgley, an organizer of the event.

Quoting poet Robert Frost, Archbishop Martin Currie reminded more than 1,000 people in the church that while changed and different, “life goes on.”

The prayer service was broadcast by CTV Newsnet.

Earlier in the day, The Atlantic Osprey returned to St. John's harbour with parts of the downed helicopter under a tarp. The recorders already went to Ottawa earlier in the week.

Mike Cunningham, the Transportation Safety Board's lead investigator in the crash, said the recorders are in good condition and are being taken to Ottawa for analysis.

The names of the 17 deceased are:

Matthew Davis, 34, St. John's (Pilot)
Tim Lanouette, 48, Comox, B.C. (First Officer)
Thomas Anwyll, 46, Langley, B.C.
Peter Breen, 55, St. John's
Gary Corbett, 46, Conception Bay South
Wade Drake, 42, Fortune
Wade Duggan, 32, Witless Bay
Cory Eddy, 32, Paradise, formerly of Sibley's Cove
Colin Henley, 38, St. John's
Ken MacRae, 47, Greenwood, N.S.
Allison Maher, 26, Mount Pearl, formerly of Aquaforte
Gregory Wayne Morris, 39, Outer Cove
Derrick Mullowney, 51, Bay Bulls
Burch Nash, 44, Fortune
John Pelley, 41, Deer Lake
Paul Pike, 49, Spaniard's Bay
Keith E. Scott, 39, St. John's

Previous NP coverage: Canada Helicopter Crash off Eastern Coast
Newfoundland Helicopter Crash - Update

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

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amyjudd

at 16:53 on March 18th, 2009

So sad that so many were lost; thanks for letting us know about the memorial service.

albertacowpoke

at 18:42 on March 18th, 2009

Nice write up. My thoughts are with the Newfies. They are a close knit bunch. Thank you for your article.

harringtola

at 18:54 on March 18th, 2009

Thank you for this report Blue. Many jobs off the East Coast of North America are dangerous ones. However the loss of 17 lives at one time is very unusual.