“We will remember you” – Hundreds attend state memorial for Jim Prentice

By LUCAS MEYER

Mourning the loss of her father, Cassia Prentice said she’s still not ready to say goodbye.

“But because my father cared so deeply about this country, this province and the people in it, we know that we do not grieve alone,” she said at the state memorial for Jim Prentice. “Broken and shattered, we must all today stand tall on the foundations that he laid.”

“Integrity, kindness, hard work and community, but most importantly, the love of family.”

Around 1,500 people attended the service for the former Alberta premier, who lost his life along with Dr. Ken Gellatly, Jim Kruk and Sheldon Reid in a small plane crash near Kelowna two weeks ago.

Photo - 570's Lucas Meyer.

Among the crowd were former prime ministers Stephen Harper, Kim Campbell and Joe Clark, premiers Rachel Notley, Brad Wall and Christy Clark, along with other current and former premiers, MPs, provincial politicians, business people and every day citizens.

A trusted cabinet minister to Harper, the former prime minister talked about how he sent Prentice down to Washington to meet with Barack Obama shortly before he became president to talk about policy.

“I said ‘Barack, I’m going to send down our new environment minister Jim Prentice, I think you guys will like him, he’s probably the most capable guy that I’ve got,’” Harper said. “To which President Obama said, ‘that’s great Stephen, and I promise not to tell your other guys that you said that.’”

Notley praised Prentice for his grace after she succeeded him as premier last year.

“I’m grateful for the friendly, thoughtful advice he shared with me,” she said. “The people of Alberta will long benefit from his determination.”

Speakers discussed his passion for First Nations issues, child benefits, same-sex marriage and unifying the Conservative movement as a whole.

But most of all, it was his role as a husband to his wife Karen of 33 years and as a father and grandfather that was mentioned most.

“We can only live the days we have with our priorities well ordered, Jim did that, he did well for his country, he did well for his colleagues and friends, he loved his family,” he said. “God bless you Karen and your family and farewell to Jim, our friend and colleague, we will remember you.”

Cassia Prentice said she was always proud to walk into a room with her father.

“My father was so much to so many and he was absolutely everything to our family,” she said.

Music ranging from an aboriginal honor song to Laura Brandt singing opera and George Canyon performing a country version of Amazing Grace.

Other speakers included Chuck Strahl, Lt. Gov. Lois Mitchell, Dick Haskayne and Jay Hill.

The ceremony finished with a slideshow, with the final images of Prentice kissing his wife on the cheek and their hands holding.

Afterwards, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said what touched him most was how every tribute highlighted his personal life.

“Notwithstanding all of his achievements and all of his activities, his number one priority was his family,” he said. “That’s perhaps the greatest label that is, that’s the greatest legacy any of us can leave.”

You can watch the full memorial here:

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