Fare thee well love: Thousands attend regimental funeral for RCMP Cst. David Wynn
Posted Jan 26, 2015 4:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With performances from well-known musical acts and close friends, as well as touching tributes from family, thousands paid their respects to the life of RCMP Cst. David Wynn Monday in St. Albert.
Following a procession of thousands of RCMP and municipal officers from across the country and the United States, Wynn’s casket was carried into Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert by eight RCMP officers for the service at 2 p.m.
His wife Shelly placed a bouquet of flowers on top of the casket, as his uncle Sgt. Duncan McGinnis began as master of ceremonies.
“We are here today to mourn the terrible loss of my nephew Cst. David Wynn of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and to recognize the ultimate sacrifice he has made in the line of duty to keep our communities safe,” he said. “We are also here to celebrate his life of service he has contributed to the fabric of this community, this province and our great country of Canada.”
The Rankin Family performed Bells and later on Fare Thee Well Love to honour Wynn’s maritime roots.
His former colleagues from Nova Scotia Emergency Services also sang and his wife’s cousin Tiffany Manetta talked about when she first met him.
“I could tell he was kind, generous and above all, proud of his family and of his accomplishment of graduating from the RCMP,” she said. “Dave, you will never be forgotten, your laughter, service to your community and country will live on forever. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.”
Country star Paul Brandt performed Amazing Grace and Wynn’s sister Mona delivered the eulogy.
“Dave was an ordinary man with an extraordinary capacity to make the world a better place for everyone around him,” she said. “We will miss you Dave, but our love for you will last forever.”
Following the music and tributes, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson handed Shelly the Canadian flag draped on his casket, while one of his sons was given his Stetson.
As his casket was carried out, the grade six class from the school where he served as a resource officer sang We Can Make a Difference.
Among the officials were Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Alberta Premier Jim Prentice.
Wynn was shot while on duty on January 17th at a St. Albert casino investigating a stolen vehicle and he died a few days later in hospital.
The suspected shooter later took his own life.
