More than 400 people spent part of their Thanksgiving weekend celebrating and giving thanks to a man many consider to be Squamish’s most influential person.

Mayor Greg Gardner spoke to the very core of the community’s loss as Dr. LaVerne Kindree’s bright smile was projected on the wall high above friends, family and admirers at the Howe Sound Secondary School gymnasium stage during a public memorial Saturday (Oct. 10).

“I have the honour of delivering a eulogy for the person who, in my opinion, has done more for this community than anyone else,” he said. “That’s quite a statement, but not a very bold one in this case.”

Gardner referred to Dr. Kindree, who died after a brief illness Sept. 26 at the age of 88, as the epitome of a leader, and as a man of action and modesty. He was a person who thrived on being proactive and vying for change through sacrifice with support from his wife, Norma.

He was a man who, by the tender age of 31, had successfully lobbied for the creation of the Squamish General Hospital just in time to battle, as the area’s sole physician, an onslaught of polio that touched about 90 per cent of the Squamish community.

“I just can’t imagine being in that position, being the only doctor that a whole community was turning to, to lead through those troubling times. But lead, he did,” said Gardner.

Squamish Nation council member Dale Harry also spoke of Dr. Kindree, otherwise known to his people as “the good doctor.” Not only did Dr. Kindree go to great lengths to tend to the Squamish Nation people, he related to them on a personal level as well, said Harry, who pointed out that he is one of about 3,000 people brought into the world by Dr. Kindree’s hands.

As stories of Dr. Kindree’s many accomplishments were mentioned throughout the ceremony his legacy rung clear before all five of his children took turns speaking with emotion and humour, offering rare glimpses into his life beyond the public realm.

Diane Kindree reflected on scouring mountain terrain in white protective jumpsuits collecting ticks with her father while conducting a breakthrough study on Lyme disease. When Dr. Kindree received the Order of Canada in August, he referred to this work with his daughter as the highlight of his career. The pair even coined a motto, said Diane: the family that ticks together, sticks together.

“Dad was a wonderful father, a humble man, a wise mentor, a brilliant research buddy, my faithful companion and ultimate superhero,” she said through tears.

Youngest son David Kindree recalled the family home in Valleycliffe, which was always full and buzzing with children, foster children, friends and various other characters welcomed into the house for a meal or a visit. He also revealed, with a chuckle, that he just recently discovered his father’s first name is actually Clifford and his middle name is LaVerne.

“I don’t understand. He could have been Cliffy, or Cliff,” he laughed, adding with a trembling voice, “My confession is I never told my dad that I was truly proud of his name. But I’d like to tell him now that I am proud and truly honoured to be David LaVerne Kindree.”

A slideshow presentation of old photographs further helped identify Dr. Kindree as a person with artistic passions and an adventurous spirit – traits that continue to compel people to settle in Squamish to this day. One photo showed Dr. Kindree engrossed in his violin, another showed him standing contentedly in the alpine overlooking the valley.

Son Paul Kindree finished his address by describing a moving image of his father in his last few moments of life.

“On the early morning of September 26, Dr. LaVerne Clifford Kindree turned his head and gazed at the Stawamus Chief and took his last few breaths,” he began.

“The sun was just beginning to rise and the Chief, in its wreath of clouds, were dancing in brilliant yellows, orange and reds. One of LaVerne’s final thoughts to Norma was that he hoped that he could soar to the mountain top so he could look down and watch over the community of Squamish. LaVerne, we hope your dream came true, because we’d all be truly blessed.”