Danny Maloney, Megaphone vendor's life celebrated in Kitsilano

Residents of Vancouver'sKitsilanoneighbourhood held a celebration of life this week for Danny Maloney, a long-time member of the community who sold Megaphone Magazine outside Whole Foods for the past 20 years.

Maloney passed away in February after battlinglung disease.

"Danny's passing has left a hole in Kits. He was a fixture at Fourth and Yew. He was stalwart and predictable. He was a visible conscience for our community," saidresident Stuart Rush.

More than 100 people turned up for to celebrateMaloney's life, many sharing fond stories about how hard he worked and how much he cared about his neighbourhood.

"He broughtstreet life and poverty and part of everyday existence into our community," said Rush.

"He looked for you to talk in hope of conversation and it is sad that Danny will probably never know that his modest presence on a busystreet corner would have the impact that ithas."

'He became this beautiful person'

Sean Condon, Executive Director of Megaphone Magazine, helped organized the event. He says Danny had very powerful relationships with everyone he encountered.

"So many people looked out for him. So many people cared about him," said Condon.

He says Maloneystruggled with poverty,addiction and mental health issues, but found purpose by selling Megaphone Magazine.

"The paper allowed him to connect with people and form theserelationshipswith them. That saved his life. He was able to get sober," said Condon.

"He was able to become thisbeautifulperson and became an institution inKitsilano."

Condon says Maloneyallowed people a very easy and warm way to begin to think about things differently and view life from another perspective.

"He helped break down a lot of stereotypes that I thinkpeople often have about homeless and mentalhealthissues," saidCondon.

"He helped people changetheir perceptions of boththose issues, and in doing so, changed their perceptions aboutthemselves as well and opened their mind to their city and community."

To hearthe full interview with Sean Condonfrom Megaphone Magazine, listen to the audio labelled Danny Maloney Tribute