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Residents say goodbye to Les Rocher with memorial parade

A long line of vehicles formed Sunday to offer final goodbyes to Les Rocher, longtime developer and Old Town resident.

Rocher passed away on April 23 and because of the present ban on all gatherings including funerals due to Covid-19, a parade was held in his honour.

Organizers involved in putting the procession together estimated there were as many as 303 vehicles that participated.

Kerry Yamkowy, a former Yellowknife resident who spoke with NNSL last week about her idea to hold the event, said from her home in Nanaimo, B.C. that she was pleased with the turnout.

"Somebody live-streamed it and I got to watch it through YK Memories," she said. "It was a really great turnout."

Another advocate for the event, Doug Snodgrass, said he was really impressed with the people who showed up.

"I was very impressed with the number of cars and was very impressed with the fire department that came out and stood on the street," he said. "Nobody knew how many would turn out, but our expectation was that there would be a lot."

Shortly after 1 p.m., streams of cars and trucks proceeded from the Multiplex down Franklin Avenue and into Old Town with the assistance of Municipal Enforcement Division officers. The route saw vehicles turn down Hamilton Drive and onto Bretzlaff Drive.

A large banner hung at Rocher's residence at 3815 Bretzlaff Dr. which read, "Les Rocher: Gone but never forgotten."

Drivers were given memorial cards commemorating his life, and numerous family members were on the street watching and greeting vehicles as they passed by.

Here are some photos of the many residents who took part.

Vehicles pack the Multiplex and Fieldhouse parking lots shortly before 1 p.m. to take part in the memorial procession for Les Rocher.
Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photos

 

Vehicles head from the Multiplex toward Forrest Drive.
The procession of vehicles rolls past the Arnica Inn en route to Old Town.
Vehicles roll through Willow Flats and are greeted by family members with memorial cards commemorating Les Rocher's life.
Les Rocher's family members and supporters lined part of Bretzlaff Drive as wave after wave of vehicles drove by to pay their respects on Sunday.
A banner hangs outside the Rocher residence at at 3815 Bretzlaff Drive reading "Les Rocher: Gone but never forgotten."