ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — As hundreds of people filled the Anglican Cathedral in downtown St. John’s Thursday for John Crosbie’s state funeral, a young, hip-looking man with a long beard took a seat in the last pew in the back.
Matt Symonds didn’t know Crosbie. He met him once as a teenager years ago, but had only seen him in the news since then.
But he had to be there.
“John Crosbie was one of the greatest Newfoundlanders who ever lived. I’ve always admired him,” Symonds said.
“Back in 1997, my mom bought a copy of his book and wanted it autographed. She actually called him and we got invited to his house in St. Philip’s. It was only for half an hour, but that stuck with me.
“I wish I had appreciated it then as I do now. But I wanted to come to say thanks, for all he did.”
Symonds was one of 800 people from all walks of life who came to pay their respects to a political icon in the only state funeral held in the province since former premier Joey Smallwood’s in 1991.
Crosbie — a former federal cabinet minister and lieutenant-governor of Newfoundland and Labrador — died Jan. 10 at the age of 88.
Dignitaries and heavyweights of politics, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball, and Lt.-Gov. Judy Foote, ministers and former premiers, filled most of the reserved seats on one side of the centre aisle, while members of the Crosbie family, including Crosibe’s wife of 67 years, Jane, filled the pews on the other side.
The Crosbie family just arrived. pic.twitter.com/MnnRuyFQ0X
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) January 16, 2020
Archdeacon and rector Roger Whalen presided over the two-hour service, which began with moving speeches from Crosbie’s son, Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie, and Mulroney — who both drew laughter and tears from the crowd.
“For my father, politics was a calling to service. He did it oh so well,” Ches Crosbie said during the eulogy at his father, John Crosbie’s, funeral at the Anglican Cemetery in St. John’s. pic.twitter.com/jJRAmUibgk
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) January 16, 2020
“For my father, politics was a calling to service,” Crosbie said. “He did it oh, so well.
“His was a legacy to celebrate and a life to emulate.”
In speaking about Crosbie’s accomplishments in government, Mulroney said 100 years from now, Canadians “will stop and reflect on the people who brought our country to greatness,” noting Crosbie was one of them. “They will know then, as we do now, what an exceptional man he was.”
Mulroney returned to his front-row seat to handshakes and a standing ovation.
Crosbie’s other children — Michael Crosbie, QC, a lawyer with McInnis Cooper in St. John’s, and Beth Crosbie, a former real estate agent and candidate in the 2015 and 2019 provincial elections — did the readings for the service.
The funeral also included impassioned musical performances by soloist David Pomeroy and pianist Brian Way, along with stirring musical pieces and hymns by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band.
Outside, minutes before the funeral, PAL Aerospace did a flypast and "tip of the wing" at the church in recognition of Crosbie's significant contributions to the company, the province and the country.
It was a fitting sendoff to a man many considered to be larger than life.
“He’s was a titan for the last half century,” said Lt. Chris Miller, conductor and director of music of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band.
“It was very much an honour to be part of it.”
The event seemed well organized before and during the service, as funeral programs were handed out to those entering the church, while ushers were on hand to guide people to their seats.
Tough times, interesting times
Retired Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer Mel Parsons was best known as the traffic cop, but said he felt privileged to direct people to their seats for the funeral.
Parsons was helping with security on July 2, 1992, when Crosbie changed history by announcing the closure of the northern cod commercial fishery, sparking outrage from hordes of fishermen.
“It was a pleasure to do this today, but I would’ve been here anyway because I admired John Crosbie,” Parsons said. “The day he announced the moratorium, it was a sad day, but he did it. It hurt him to do it, but that was politics.”
Comedian Rick Mercer said Crosbie always made his job interesting.
“When you were dealing with Crosbie, it was like dealing with another comedian. He had impeccable timing, he came prepared, he knew what he wanted to do, so it was always a great day at the office with him. And he had a lot to say.
“My greatest memories are not what necessarily went onscreen, but the stories he would tell. … He was a great storyteller and, yeah, I have great memories of him.”
Betty Wall and her husband, Bill Wall, sat on the far side of the church. They drove from Colliers and were there as soon as the doors opened at the church, an hour and half before the funeral.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” Betty Wall said. “John Crosbie was a very, very important part of history. He was such an icon. I’m here for all the good work he did.
“Our boys are all working in construction and oil and gas, and (Crosbie) had a lot to do with that. We owe him a lot.”
Jane Crosbie leaves the Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s after her husband, John Crosbie’s, state funeral, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball chat outside. pic.twitter.com/9VMvW3lvUR
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) January 16, 2020
Ed Porter was also one of the first at the church. He went to Bishop Field College with Crosbie and was there to represent the Feildians Association.
“He was an intellect and I looked up to him,” said Porter, who, when visiting family at Kenny’s Pond Seniors Home, would often see John, who stayed there before he died. “Everybody knew John Crosbie and followed his career.”
John Fitzgerald, who wore a sealskin coat to the funeral, said his family had a connection with the Crosbies, as his grandmother was John Crosbie’s father’s housekeeper.
“I’m mourning the loss, like many,” Fitzgerald said. “I think Newfoundland has lost a real champion and politician of the like we’ll probably never see again.
“This man spoke the truth as he saw it and stood up for the place at times when it was difficult. … He was called on to make some difficult decisions and he made them courageously.”
Legendary NHL TV commentator Bob Cole said he lost a friend.
“John was one of a kind,” Cole said.
“He did an awful lot of work for an awful lot of people in our province. … You got what you asked for with John, and I loved that. I’ll miss him.”
The service ended with the singing of the "Ode to Newfoundland" and "O Canada."
The “Ode to Newfoundland” is being sung now at John Crosbie’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/Carf5afako
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) January 16, 2020
Many people hung around outside the church for about half an hour after the funeral, as the surrounding streets were closed for the event. As the sun was setting, most dispersed, with many out-of-towners heading to the airport before the big snowstorm hit.
“It was a lovely service,” said Suzanne Fleming of the Conception Bay North area, as she was leaving the church with two friends.
“It was a great sendoff for a great man.”
Twitter: @TelyRosie
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