A candlelight vigil was held Thursday night to remember Jimmy Wiebe.
Wiebe was murdered while at work June 20, and friends quickly organized the vigil as a way to show support for Wiebe's family, and as a way for the community to begin dealing with the shock of such a death in the city.
More than 150 friends, acquaintances and co-workers of Wiebe gathered at the 10 p.m. vigil to place candles on the corner of the lot of the gas station he had worked at for a decade, and where he was killed. Those gathered lit and placed candles, went to the microphone to share stories of the man, and released balloons, as a way to remember Wiebe.
"It was an idea thrown around between myself and a friend," offered Aaron Nagy one of the vigil's organizers. "It was something we wanted to do in remembrance of Jimmy."
Nagy said the event came together quickly.
"We made phone calls to some local businesses that helped make it happen," he said.
Nagy said he felt such a vigil was required by the community.
"It's part of the grieving process. It helps the city grow a bit closer together," he said.
And the turn out suggested the community did need the outlet for their grief, not that Nagy was surprised by the number of people who took part.
"Everybody who met Jimmy was touched by him," he said.
Adam Paton, Wiebe's nephew met with media the night of the vigil. He said the death is one the family is struggling to come to terms with.
"Jimmy was probably one of the most peaceful, kind-hearted guys I know," said Paton.
Paton said in 10-years of working at the Shell station, "he never missed a day," and over those years he touched many with his kindness. He said it was not unusual for someone to be short a few bucks for gas or cigarettes and have Wiebe help them out. " He touched so many lives." He added the family was thankful for the support shown through the vigil.
Paton said the family is now hoping the judicial system comes through and provides some justice for Wiebe.
"We're pretty happy they got the guy," he told media hours before police released the fact to the general public that someone was arrested and charged for the murder (see related story this issue).
