'We can have peace': Town of Tignish reflects on tragedy after both bodies found

As family and friends prepare for the funerals of Glen DesRochesand Moe Getson, both who were missing after their boat capsized last Tuesday, the community of Tignish is reflecting on a week of tragedy, and how they plan to move forward.

Mayor of Tignish,AllanMcInnis, said it's been a difficult week for the town, but that finally finding both men's bodies is a relief for everyone.

"Now we'll do our mourning properly and then we can put everything to rest where we don't have to constantly be thinking of our lost comrades," McInnis said.

Pulling together

DesRoches and Getson's boat capsized last week off North Cape. One crew member was able to swim to shore, but the other men went missing, which prompted both official and community searches.

Some volunteered by bringing food to search crews, while others provided themdonations like dry socks.

McInnis said he's not surprised by the way the townpulled together.

"I've been involved in the fishing industry all my life for approximately 50 years.I've seen this before. Unfortunately we'll see it again," he said.

"When a tragedy like this occurs, the people gather together ... they pull together and they work to help the families and they spend as many hours as they can to volunteer to their time."

Looking for answers

Father John Molino, who preaches atSt. Simon and St. Jude Churchin the town, said it will take time for the community to heal. He said both men were members of the community and that many people were in denial after the boat capsized.

"Words cannot describe the feelings that we have as a community and personally and individually," Molina said.

"People felt angry with everything, blaming the equipment, the person."

Molina said there are still questions about what happened with the boat, but agreed that finding both men's bodies has brought relief to people.

"It has been a really interesting process for everybody to try and find meaning on what happened ... now we can have peace."

'We feel for each other'

He addedthe last week has shown how connected members of the community arewith each other, and the rest of the Island.

"We feel for each other and we carry not only our personal burdens but the burdens of everybody in the community. I think that shows how much P.E.I. people are connected," Molina said.

"We are a community and we are grateful for that."

Visitation hours for DesRocheswill be at the Rooney Funeral Home Wednesday, 6-9p.m.There will be additional visiting hours on Thursday from 1 p.m.until time of departure.

The funeral forDesRoches will take place Thursday afternoonat St. Simon and St. Jude Church in Tignishat 4 p.m.

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