It was a day to remember the far-reaching impact of a prominent community member whose life tragically ended earlier this month

Jeremy McGoran, a former radio personality and supporter of mental health awareness, died by suicide on June 9. A memorial service was held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre for McGoran on Monday.

害羞草研究所淭he best that you can do is take care of yourself. Jeremy would not want this for you, he had so much care for other people who were struggling like him, and so much love,害羞草研究所� said his widow Mare McHale in a speech on stage. 害羞草研究所淭ake care of yourself. This is not OK. And I feel a real responsibility to say that to you.害羞草研究所�

McHale also spoke in a pre-recorded, unscripted video.

害羞草研究所淗e was the first one who ever thought I was funny,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淗e was the first person, or one of the first who I was authentically myself around. I never had to mince words around him. We talked about everything. I never had to pretend to be anything; I never had to put on a front with him.

害羞草研究所淎nd he thought I was funny, he thought I was beautiful, and he was just so encouraging and so respectful.害羞草研究所�

McHale recalled meeting McGoran at a Prince George radio station, where he was an afternoon show host and she was a reporter, and later on a news anchor.

害羞草研究所淩ight away, Jeremy stood out to me. His excitement and passion and loud voice, which you know, you just couldn害羞草研究所檛 not hear,害羞草研究所� McHale said. 害羞草研究所淪omething that struck me right away was the passion that he had for radio, music, sports, but for his career.害羞草研究所�

McHale said the two 害羞草研究所渜uickly fell in love,害羞草研究所� but she said one of the most remarkable things was him leaving his post as an afternoon show DJ to live with her in Penticton after she felt homesick. McGoran found a full-time job doing afternoons on EZ Rock AM 800 after doing a year on Sunday mornings filling in. He quickly became an integral part of the community.

害羞草研究所淲hether it was cheering for the (Penticton) Vees, or emceeing countless events, championing so many causes and just really building a following on EZ Rock,害羞草研究所� she said.

McGoran was known, among other things, for his love of the Detroit Red Wings.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 remember when it was, but they lost the Stanley Cup and I haven ever seen a grown man so heartbroken,害羞草研究所� McHale recalled. 害羞草研究所淗e had to take a walk. I think he broke a few sticks that day,害羞草研究所� she added with a laugh.

Along with McHale害羞草研究所檚, dozens of the couple害羞草研究所檚 followers on social media, along with friends and family members, sent in videos talking about McGoran.

害羞草研究所淗e definitely impacted my life with his courageousness and bravery of speaking up about mental health issues,害羞草研究所� said one woman who said she had never met him, but got to know the family through McHale害羞草研究所檚 YouTube channel. 害羞草研究所淎lso, just in general, being such a great person and being able to be brave in times of difficulty, to be brave and make changes in your life.害羞草研究所�

That also included submissions from across B.C., as far east as Chicago even across the Pacific Ocean in Japan.

害羞草研究所淚 have never had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy or Mare, but I害羞草研究所檝e welcomed them into my life because of social media, through YouTube,害羞草研究所� said a woman from Chicago. 害羞草研究所淛eremy has impacted my life by showing me what a supportive partner is. I害羞草研究所檝e been in a long-term relationship that has been difficult. I watch Mare and Jer, and the times that Jeremy has continued to try and (his) self-improvement 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 encouraging.害羞草研究所�

The community rallied to celebrate his legacy on Monday and raised over $7,200 for his family through a silent auction, a raffle draw, food sales donated by Tim Hortons, Tickleberrys and a barbecue.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 just amazing to see how many people have turned up and are smiling and excited to be here,害羞草研究所� said organizer Amanda Lysohirka, who added that the group had to restock on burgers and buns after running out of the more than 300 they had on hand.

The event was an intersection of two of McGoran害羞草研究所檚 passions 害羞草研究所� sports and mental health awareness. The event was put on by his slopitch team, who wore green ribbons for mental health, and included a table of mental health resources.