Gordon Lightfoot, a renowned singer-songwriter, passed away last week at 84. Numerous followers mourned the loss of this Canadian national hero and one of the most popular folk musicians of his time.
On May 7, the musician’s memorial service was held. In a touching sight, one old buddy gathered by his side.
In his Canadian hometown of Orillia, Ontario, Lightfoot, whose classic songs include “Sundown” and “If You Could Read My Mind,” was remembered at St. Paul’s United Church.
The musician, who maintained his Canadian identity even as he rose to fame internationally, allegedly asked for his funeral to be held at the Orilla church, where he had participated in the choir as a young man.
Blair Bailey, director of the St. Paul’s choir, told CTV News that “he is the one who wanted it to be here, in this church that he grew up in.”
50 close friends and family members reportedly attended Lightfoot’s funeral, a modest, private event yesterday. However, local fans had the chance to pay their condolences at a public viewing on Sunday.
Those there observed a touching moment as a dog named Taurus snuggled up by the late musician’s side.
Longtime Lightfoot spokeswoman Victoria Lord said that Taurus is a member of one of the tour staff members, and the two grew close while traveling together.
Victoria Lord said, “He used to travel with him and wait for Gordon’s side stage.” Gordon loved dogs.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to lie near the graves or caskets of their deceased family members as a painful, bittersweet memorial. Dogs are loyal to the very end.
How a person treats animals reveals a lot about them. Even though Taurus wasn’t Lightfoot’s actual pet, they had a close bond, and the dog will miss him dearly.
At the age of 84, Gordon Lightfoot passed away on May 1. The artist, who died of natural causes, was first announced on his Facebook page.
With singles like “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” Lightfoot experienced his greatest level of worldwide popularity in the 1970s. Many of his albums achieved platinum status.
One of his generation’s most popular folk performers, Lightfoot was revered by his contemporaries and honored as a national hero in his native Canada.
In the 2019 documentary Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind, Rush musician Geddy Lee noted, “He is our poet laureate, our iconic singer-songwriter.”
Bob Dylan famously remarked, “I can’t think of a Gordon Lightfoot song I don’t enjoy. “Whenever I hear one of his songs, I want it to go on forever. Lightfoot was taken on as a long-term mentor. He’s probably still there, in my opinion.
After Lightfoot’s death, Trudeau referred to him as “one of our greatest singer-songwriters” and said that he “captured our country’s spirit in his music, and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape.”
Godspeed to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot. Many people will miss him, particularly his devoted dog Taurus.
