Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A man who always took the time to be kind to others, no matter what his circumstances, was remembered at his celebration of life in downtown Penticton, Friday.

Friends gathered at Nanaimo Square to share memories of Gordon Kennedy, best known as Gordy and partake in hot coffee and food provided by community businesses.

"You would ask him about himself, and he would always turn it back to you. He always had words to lift you up," said LeAnne Jakubeit, who helped organize the tribute. "He was Mr. Random Act of Kindness."

Kennedy, who died Oct. 3, was a man of meagre means, who was often without a roof over his head. 

Wayne Reimer, a friend who gave his eulogy, said Kennedy lived his younger years in Vancouver and loved the sun, often travelling to tropical places. He coached kids in sports and was proud of how they did.

Reimer recalled that when they would sit and have coffee together, he would always say hi to people passing by.

He loved Elvis and would often talk of his love of God.

Rev. Peter Harris shared his memories of Kennedy, from when he did street ministry, while others remembered always seeing him downtown.

He is perhaps best known for his willingness to help downtown merchants in winter, by shovelling snow in front of their businesses.

Jakubeit recalled meeting him when he shovelled snow in front of her store.

Katelyn Cole met him on the street.

"I like going for walks, and I would see him and talk to him," she said. "He always had a story, always something to say."

Nik Skwarok said Kennedy used to babysit his cousins a long time ago in Summerland and that, in the last five years, he had helped Gordy by fixing his shopping cart at Freedom the Bike Shop, where Skwarok works.

"He was just the nicest, most polite man I've ever met who was in that situation," he said. "So I wanted to pay tribute to him."

Some remembered him as a person who always made others smile, even though he was going through tough times.

"Despite long stretches of being homeless, he managed to keep his dignity," said Michelle Turner, executive director of the Penticton and Area Access Centre.

The access centre was a resource for Kennedy, and members were on hand to to take donations in his memory for their "pay it forward" fund. The Downtown Penticton Association also partnered to help with road closures.

Those in attendance agreed it was a tribute Kennedy would have liked. In addition to the smiles and shared memories, Ralph Relvis Ramsey performed Elvis songs.

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, who was there filming the celebration of life for a friend of Kennedy's, was glad to see a good turnout.

"He had no family, so it was nice to see a good size crowd honouring a regular fixture downtown, and it points to how Gordon made an impact on people," he said.