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Thousands expected at funeral
By Laura E. Kelly/Independent Staff Writer
KINGSTON — Firefighters have not left the side of Allan “Pickles” LePage since his tragic accident on Monday.
A firefighter accompanied him to South County and Rhode Island hospitals and stayed by his bed until he died on Tuesday. A firefighter then stayed with LePage as his body was autopsied by the state Medical Examiner’s Office, and on Wednesday firefighters escorted him to Avery-Storti Funeral Home in Wakefield. On Tuesday, a call went out on the town’s fire radio announcing his death and asking firefighters to participate in a 24-hour vigil at the funeral home, which began Wednesday afternoon.
This last tribute to LePage is a part of the unwritten code of brotherhood that exists among firefighters and their families – they take care of their own.
“Since the incident has happened, a firefighter has not left his side,” said Lt. Patrick McMahon of the Charlestown Police Department, the fire company’s volunteer media liaison.
And firefighters will remain by his side until his burial this weekend.
Thousands of mourners, including firefighters, honor guards and dignitaries from throughout New England are expected to attend his wake on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Avery-Storti Funeral Home and his funeral on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ryan Center in Kingston. Arrangements were still being finalized Wednesday morning, but McMahon said that the tributes to LePage will be many.
“With an in-the-line-of-duty death, I bet you will see a pretty significant amount of people,” McMahon said.
The fire company and family has had help in making arrangements from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which offers assistance to firefighters’ families and co-workers. The organization offers guidelines on the funeral service itself and outlines ways to help the family and community.
Police Capt. Jeffrey Allen advises visitors attending the wake at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, to park in the South Kingstown High School lot at 215 Columbia St. or the adjacent lot at Hazard School.
“We have many concerns about how many people will be coming, but we will be able to handle it,” Allen said.
Firefighters are being asked to gather at the high school parking lot at 3 p.m. Friday for a walk-through at the funeral home that will begin at 4, according to the Kingston Fire District Web site. On Saturday, firefighters will meet in the Ryan Center parking lot at 8:30 a.m. A gathering for firefighters is planned for after Saturday’s service at the Elks Lodge, 60 Belmont Ave., Wakefield.
There are fewer concerns about traffic for Saturday’s service at the Ryan Center, located on Route 138 in Kingston, since there is a large parking lot to support the large crowds expected.
More details were expected to be released Wednesday afternoon, after the Independent went to press. For updates, check the paper’s Web site at www.scindependent.com.
LePage’s obituary was not ready in time for today’s edition but is expected to be posted soon on the funeral home’s Web site, www.averystortifuneralhome.com.
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