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.

含羞草研究社淭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,含羞草研究社� said his widow Mare McHale in a speech on stage. 含羞草研究社淭ake care of yourself. This is not OK. And I feel a real responsibility to say that to you.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淗e was the first one who ever thought I was funny,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淗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.

含羞草研究社淎nd he thought I was funny, he thought I was beautiful, and he was just so encouraging and so respectful.含羞草研究社�

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.

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

McHale said the two 含羞草研究社渜uickly fell in love,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淲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,含羞草研究社� she said.

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

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

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

含羞草研究社淗e definitely impacted my life with his courageousness and bravery of speaking up about mental health issues,含羞草研究社� said one woman who said she had never met him, but got to know the family through McHale含羞草研究社檚 YouTube channel. 含羞草研究社淎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.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淚 have never had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy or Mare, but I含羞草研究社檝e welcomed them into my life because of social media, through YouTube,含羞草研究社� said a woman from Chicago. 含羞草研究社淛eremy has impacted my life by showing me what a supportive partner is. I含羞草研究社檝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 含羞草研究社� it含羞草研究社檚 encouraging.含羞草研究社�

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.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 just amazing to see how many people have turned up and are smiling and excited to be here,含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 passions 含羞草研究社� 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.