Labrador man slain in Halifax remembered for 'kindness and caring'

A friend of a Labrador man killed lastweek in Nova Scotiasays John Lampe should be remembered as a gentlemanwho showed kindness and patience during decades of work with Inuit organizations in this province.

• Frank John Lampe, 58, identified as homicide victim

Lampe, 58,was found dead lastThursday in the hallway of an apartment building in Halifax.

Police identified a suspect, a 20-year-old man who was found seriously injured on a nearby street, but they have not laid charges.

"It was very traumatic. It was very devastating to me and people who knew him," LelaEvans told Labrador Morning.

"John was a great man. He was a great person, and it was his kindness and his caring and his friendship that made him great," she said.

Evans wrote a Facebook post as a tribute to Lampe, because she wanted people to know more about him.

"It was like a void out there. He was gone, and no one was talking about it. And as soon as people found out and they had a venue to comment and pay their tributes,they did."

Lampe was born in Hopedale. Helived inNainandworked as a teacher for four yearsbefore taking a jobwith the Labrador Inuit Association, where he worked for two decades.

"He was land claims director. He was also special assistant to the president, and later became economic development advisor, and then he also worked with the Northern Contaminants Program as well," said Evans.

He went on to become the Inuit research advisor and procurement officer with the Nunatsiavutgovernment.

"The whole world could be falling down, or the deadlines could be passing you by or something that was supposed to be in place is not done and John would just be there. He'd be very calm and patient," said Evans.

The two shared "friendships, laughs, support, ...and now that's gone," she said.

"People like that, who are such wonderful people, you always expect them to be there."

Lampehas a son and stepdaughter, and Evans saidpeople will support them because "familywas the most important thing to him."

She said people are shocked by the circumstances of his death, and feel they have very little information about what happened.

Halifax Regional Policeare asking people who were in or near the apartment building where Lampe was killed to contact them.