Bubble release planned for toddler's funeral procession

Photo: Susan Peacock

Mark Banman & Susan Peacock with their son Gaige

The family of Gaige Banman is bringing him home on Sunday and they're reaching out to the community for help in doing so. 

The 15-month-old boy was killed on April 19 after being run over by a car at the family home in Kelowna’s Rutland neighbourhood on McCurdy Road. 

Gaige’s father, Mark Banman, says they will be bringing the remains of Gaige home after a private funeral Sunday afternoon. He is asking the community to line the streets for a bubble release as the funeral procession passes. 

Mark says his son loved bubbles, “he was just so little, just a little guy.”

The Banmans live on the 500 block of McCurdy Road. They'll place a box of bubbles in their driveway for those who don't have any.

The community has rallied behind the family in the wake of the tragedy, with more than $17,000 raised through a GoFundme page. On Wednesday night, the neighbourhood left lit candles on their front steps.

“All the way down McCurdy. Everybody in Rutland, it was a huge thing and overwhelming,” Mark Banman said, adding IGA dropped off a load of groceries for the family, which also has an 11 year old and three-week-old infant.

“It’s been an overwhelming response in Rutland. Unbelievable,” he said.

The funeral procession will make multiple passes down McCurdy Road at 3:30 p.m. on April 26. Attendees are encouraged to spread out along the street and avoid getting too close to each other due to the pandemic.