EDMONTON - Hundreds gathered outside the Alberta Legislature on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to former premier Peter Lougheed, as Mounties in red serge carried his coffin out of the building's rotunda and into a white hearse.
Lougheed had been lying in state at the legislature since Monday after his death in a Calgary hospital bearing his name last week. The province says 1,200 people came to pay their respects on just the first day alone.
On Tuesday evening, a motorcade carrying his body made its way to two Edmonton landmarks that held a special meaning to the former premier — the Rutherford House and Knox-Metropolitan United Church - before returning to Calgary.
The late Lougheed had stayed at Rutherford House while attending the University of Alberta in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The home was the former Delta Upsilon fraternity house of which he was not only a member, but also the chapter president. On Twitter, the University had invited students to come say goodbye to "to our distinguished #ualberta alum Peter Lougheed," at the house.
Dozens showed up, including fellow alum and fraternity brother, Allan Warrack, who had known Lougheed for 43 years.
"He had a major impact, just like he really has had everywhere," Warrack reflected. "He's gone and transformed this province into a modern progressive society. And those of us who were involved in that process think, and hope, things will always be better because Peter Lougheed was here."
During the stop at the Rutherford House, Lougheed's family was presented a University of Alberta flag from Board Chair Doug Goss.
"He aspired to do great things, and inspired others to do the same," said Goss. "If we could be half the leader he was, then we'd do great things, and that's the magic of the man."
After that, the motorcade proceeded to the Knox Church, which is where the former premier married his wife, Jeanne, in June of 1952. When asked by an employee at Lougheed House recently what his greatest accomplishment or moment was, Lougheed replied that it was meeting his wife.
From the church, the procession continued through the city and onto Calgary, where it was with a police escort.
"It's not very often that we get one this special," said Duty Insp. Paul Stacey of the Calgary Police Service. "The men and women who are doing this tonight, and that did it on Sunday as well, are very proud to be involved in this."
"He's really left his mark in Alberta, and we're proud as a police service to be a part of his final motorcade."
On Friday starting at 1 p.m., you will be able to watch our broadcast of Lougheed's public state memorial, being held in Calgary. It will also be live streamed on our website.
With files from Vassy Kapelos, Global News and The Canadian Press
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