Amazing, fun loving, caring and wonderful are all words friends and family used to describe 11-year-old Brodie Landry.
“He was a pleasant little boy,” said grandmother Doris Landry.
“He was fun loving and always a good brother. He loved to read a lot and he was just trying to learn how to play cribbage with us. Hiking, biking, swimming; anything outdoors he loved.”
Hundreds of people gathered at Ducharme Motors in Bonnyville last Wednesday to remember Brodie, who tragically died after suffering severe injuries in a two-vehicle collision on July 22.
Many in attendance took time to reflect back on the life of Brodie and remember all the good times they spent with him.
“Our last memory of Brodie was when he played a trick on his (grandfather),” said Doris.
“His dad had given him a little joke book to read while he was going on his holiday to Kelowna and he was anxious to try it on his (grandfather) when he came back. So before he left our house he asked for some cotton balls and he decided to stuff (his grandfathers) shoes both in the back entrance and the front entrance. When they left (his grandfather) went to put his shoes on and realized it was Brodie playing a trick on him.”
Other memories of Brodie come from his time as a member of the Bonnyville Skipperoos skipping club.
Brady Christians, a fellow skipper, remembered Brodie as always encouraging him during skipping and has good memories of their time together on the Skipperoos.
Isaak Watters said Brodie was a great friend, and remembered their time together at summer camp.
“One of my favourite memories was when his mom and I took a few kids to Penticton for a skipping camp,” said Skye Christians, Brodie's skipping coach. “Brodie emerged out of a sea of kids, who had all been learning new tricks, and marched over to us with authority, the biggest grin on his face and said ‘mom, Skye, I finally did it! I can do a push-up.' In the skipping world it is kind of a harder trick. It was awesome.”
A group from the 2nd Chance Trail Ride was in attendance at the charity barbeque to promote awareness of organ donors and thank the family. Brodie donated his organs and soft tissue, which helped six people.
“We are here to thank the donor family,” said Fae Irvine. “These recipients have gone from being next to death to being vibrant and alive.”
Two past organ recipients Morris Irvine and Tom Mathews were on hand to show their appreciation.
“There is kind of a saying, the greatest hero that I've never met is the person who donated my lungs to me,” said Mathews. “Brodie donated six organs and tissue. He is another great hero. I've never met him, but to us he is the greatest.”
Family friend and organizer of the barbeque Diane Walsh was extremely pleased with the support from the community.
“It is overwhelming. Never, ever did I anticipate a crowd of this magnitude. It speaks volumes for Bonnyville,” said Walsh.
The barbeque and silent auction raised money for the family, which she hopes will allow them “to take some time off and not have any financial worries.”
“Brodie was the kindest, fun-loving, caring, compassionate child,” said Walsh. “He was a very, very wonderful child.”
