ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Large crowds are expected to arrive at the Confederation Building Tuesday and Wednesday in St. John's as the public gets a chance to pay respects to John Crosbie.
The storied Newfoundland and Labrador politician, who died last Friday at the age of 88, will receive the honour of lying in state. The term refers to a tradition whereby the remains of a deceased official are displayed in a government building to give the public a chance to pay their respects. Crosbie was cremated and his ashes will be present inside the House of Assembly Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m.
According to a provincial government spokesman, this marks the third time the House of Assembly has served as the site of a public visitation. When Newfoundland and Labrador's first premier, Joey Smallwood, died in 1991, his body lay in state for two days in the House before a funeral was held. Public visitation also took place last spring in the foyer of the House of
Assembly for former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Beaton Tulk following his death at the age of 75.
Members of the public are making their way into the House of Assembly to pay respects to the honourable John C. Crosbie.
— David Maher (@DavidMaherNL) January 14, 2020
Crosbie’s ashes lay in the House of Assembly. #nlpoli pic.twitter.com/2fNybMo4JW
On Tuesday and Wednesday, those looking to pay respects to Crosbie will be able to access the Confederation Building at the main entrance facing Prince Philip Drive or through the public service entrance on the northeast side of East Block. Parking will be available in front of East Block, and staff will be present to help direct visitors, who will not need to obtain visitor identification badges upon entry.
Visitors will be able to offer personal condolences to members of Crosbie's family present at the House of Assembly. A book of condolence will be on site for visitors to sign, but those wishing to offer condolences who can't make it to the Confederation Building can send them to [email protected]. A government news release issued last Friday said those messages will be forwarded to Crosbie's family.
People arriving at the Confederation Building Complex for regular government business Tuesday and Wednesday are asked to use the visitors' entrance, located at the northwest basement entrance in the East Block.
A funeral service for Crosbie will take place Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Church Hill in St. John’s.