Funeral services held for Richard Oland
Posted Jul 12, 2011 03:32:24 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ROTHESAY – It was a funeral service fit for a king. Rothesay’s finest vocalists and the Saint John String Quartet provided the hymns, as hundreds gathered at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic church in Rothesay to pay their final respects to business mogul Richard Oland.
Oland is the victim of what longtime friend Patrick Darrah called a tragic and senseless act.
“We went through a lot of wonderful times together,” said Darrah. “They’ve got a wonderful family and it’s just a tragedy what took place.”
Darrah delivered a eulogy that described his friend as man who loved to spend time with his family. Darrah shared stories of Oland teaching his children how to ski, sail, ride horses and fix motorcycles.
The sounds of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” rang through the church during the funeral recession – a song that echoes Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop’s sentiments on the man known for several community efforts.
“I guess you could sum it up by saying he was a ‘do-er’,” said Bishop. “He was responsible for this church, the Canada Games, and was looked on very highly by the citizens of Rothesay and Greater Saint John.”
There wasn’t an empty seat to be had in the church that was built due in large part to the push from Dick Oland.
Several politicians, including the Premier were in attendance, as well as Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas, who says the turn-out is a great tribute for a great man who did a lot for his community.
“When you stop and think of all the good that this man has done for his community and all of New Brunswick, I think that this is a beautiful celebration of life for him,” said Nicholas. “I’m sure his family are deeply touched by the presence of so many people here.”
The 69 year old family member of the Moosehead beer-making giants was found dead in his Canterbury St. office Thursday morning. Police have deemed that his death was in fact a homicide. The investigation continues, as a team of about fifteen officers try to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and find the assailant that claimed the life of Richard Oland .
