Almost 100 people turned out to bid a final farewell to one of Richmond’s original characters — Norman Wrigglesworth.
The celebration of Wrigglesworth’s life at the Salvation Army Church on Gilbert Road Monday evening attracted Richmond MLA John Yap, as well as Mayor Malcolm Brodie and several city councillors, many of whom spoke of their memories of Wrigglesworth.
One of his best friends, John O’Sullivan, also gave a eulogy and indulged the audience with an a cappella song dedicated to Wrigglesworth, who died, peacefully, in his sleep, aged 88, on Oct. 10 in Richmond Hospital.
“The people who came to say goodbye told me they’d never seen a service like it; the structure, the flexibility and the multi-media show,” said O’Sullivan.
“We began the celebration with a four-minute video of Norman telling his life story. It was a very appropriate way to kick the evening off.”
During his life in Richmond, Wrigglesworth was best known for having the world’s largest “no smoking” sign on his roof and regularly campaigned against smoking.
The Second World War veteran was also known to many in the city for bringing issues to city council over the decades, illustrating “real citizenship.”
O’Sullivan said his old friend has donated his will to charities, including BC Children’s Hospital and the Richmond Hospital Foundation.
