laura proctor
photojournalist

with an aching in my heart - 2023

shot for reuters

Gordon Lightfoot and I were born in Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in our hometown of Orillia, 54 years apart. We both swam in the waters of Lake Couchiching and walked Mississaga Street through the tiny downtown. By my teenage years, my admiration for "Gord" and his music was firmly established. I owned nearly all of his records.

On the first weekend of May 2023, I travelled to the town I was born in to photograph Gordon Lightfoot's funeral. I joined my family and community to collectively mourn after the prolific 84-year-old songwriter passed away. It was Mr. Lightfoot and his family's wishes that he lie in repose at St. Paul's United Church in Orillia, where he'd sang in the choir as a young schoolboy. Thousands of Orillians lined up from 1-8PM on Sunday, May 7th, to pay their respects to their hometown hero. I made the photos, and then I waved goodbye.

Each and every bad dream will be hammered into dust
When we get back where we belong
If you ever turn that page again
You need a friend, if you ask me, I'll tag along

This time tomorrow, we might all be packed and gone
I believe, it's best we carry on
Smoke rings rising 'til they disappear
In the sky above, if you ask me, I'll tag along

Morning light falls on a statue of Gordon Lightfoot after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2023.
Gordon Lightfoot memorabilia sits in a shop window after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Laura Proctor
Debbie Reich leaves flowers at a bust of Gordon Lightfoot outside of the Orillia Opera House after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
Rob Wilson blasts Gordon Lightfoot songs outside the Orillia Opera House after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2023. Rob grew up in Orillia's south
Flowers are left at the bust of Gordon Lightfoot outside the Orillia Opera House after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
Gordon Lightfoot records sit in the window at Alleycats Music after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2023.
People visit a statue of Gordon Lightfoot in Tudhope Park after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
A busker performs in a parking lot after prolific Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2023.
OPP officers block off Peter Street outside St. Paul's United Church where Gordon Lightfoot's public visitation is taking place after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontari
A rose is left at the door of St. Paul's United Church where Gordon Lightfoot will lie in repose, after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
People line up at St. Paul's United Church for Gordon Lightfoot's public visitation after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
Myeengun Henry wears a Gordon Lightfoot shirt in line at St. Paul's United Church for his visitation after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023
People line up outside St. Paul's United Church where Gordon Lightfoot's public visitation is taking place after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 202
Gordon Lightfoot's casket is carried in to St. Paul's United Church for a public visitation after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
Rick Haynes, Gordon Lightfoot's longtime bassist and friend, speaks to media at St. Paul's United Church after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
Gordon Lightfoot lies in repose in St. Paul's United Church after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Canada, May 7, 2023.
A woman wipes away a tear as she approaches Gordon Lightfoot's casket at a public visitation in St. Paul's United Church after the prolific Canadian singer-songwriter died in a Toronto hospital at the age of 84, in his birthplace of Orillia, Ontario, Cana
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