Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Funeral Today For Ontario Boy, 7, Whose Town Gave Him An Early Christmas Parade

The Canadian Press, 10 Dec, 2015 11:13 AM
  • Funeral Today For Ontario Boy, 7, Whose Town Gave Him An Early Christmas Parade
ST. GEORGE, Ont. — A funeral is scheduled for today for Evan Leversage, a terminally-ill southern Ontario boy whose wish to see another Christmas prompted his community to stage an early Santa Claus parade.
 
Seven-year-old Evan died at a Brantford, Ont., hospice on Sunday in the arms of his mother — Nicole Wellwood.
 
Evan was from St. George, a small community north of Brantford and suffered from an inoperable brain tumour.
 
Doctors told his family this year that they weren't sure if he would live to see this Christmas, so St. George put on an early Christmas parade in October, complete with artificial snow strewn around Evan's home.
 
The boy got to hop onto Santa's sleigh and ride with him through the streets of St. George with thousands of townspeople looking on.
 
Evan was admitted to the hospice on Nov. 4 and his family maintained a vigil at his bedside until his death.
 
"One of Evan's favourite highlights during his stay at the hospice was the day that staff wheeled his bed into the family room so that he could direct the volunteer firefighters who were putting together the huge 12-foot Christmas tree," a statement on the hospice's Facebook page said.
 
"Evan took great pride in telling them where to put each decoration on that tree and also enjoyed a special visit from Santa."
 
Evan's story attracted international attention with people reaching out from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom.
 
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada joined with his family earlier this year to launch a fundraising campaign to support research into childhood brain cancer.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian Kindness: Ontario Woman Drives 400 Km To Help Ailing Beaver

Canadian Kindness: Ontario Woman Drives 400 Km To Help Ailing Beaver
When an Ontario wildlife sanctuary put out an urgent call for someone to drive an ailing beaver to a specialized facility some 400 kilometres away, they found a volunteer within half an hour.

Canadian Kindness: Ontario Woman Drives 400 Km To Help Ailing Beaver

Police Arrest Three More In Chilliwack Drug Bust Trafficking To Province's North

CHILLIWACK, B.C. — Three more men have been charged in connection with a Fraser Valley drug-trafficking syndicate operating in northern British Columbia.

Police Arrest Three More In Chilliwack Drug Bust Trafficking To Province's North

Not Too Late: Man Comes Forward To Claim Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Worth $178,000

Not Too Late: Man Comes Forward To Claim Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Worth $178,000
The team had earlier warned that the money was still up grabs and, if unclaimed by the end of December, would go back into the pot for next year.

Not Too Late: Man Comes Forward To Claim Grey Cup 50/50 Prize Worth $178,000

Former Olympian Veronika Bauer Sues CFSA, Doctor Over Concussions Suffered In Training

Former Olympian Veronika Bauer Sues CFSA, Doctor Over Concussions Suffered In Training
VANCOUVER — Former Olympic aerials skier Veronika Bauer is suing the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association for negligence in relation to a series of concussions she suffered while active in the sport.

Former Olympian Veronika Bauer Sues CFSA, Doctor Over Concussions Suffered In Training

Maryam Monsef Won't Commit To Electoral Reform Referendum, Tories Push For Vote

Maryam Monsef Won't Commit To Electoral Reform Referendum, Tories Push For Vote
OTTAWA — The Conservatives are pushing the Trudeau government to promise a referendum to consult Canadians on any proposal to overhaul the electoral system.

Maryam Monsef Won't Commit To Electoral Reform Referendum, Tories Push For Vote

B.C. Makes 'Modest Gains' In Campaign To Improve Provincial Adoptions

VICTORIA — More British Columbians are opening up their homes to children in need of adoption.

B.C. Makes 'Modest Gains' In Campaign To Improve Provincial Adoptions