I would like to voice my appreciation, my awe and my utmost gratitude to the multitude of people, and especially fire fighters who attended the funeral of Captain Dan Botkin in Enderby on Jan 5.
First, I give my heartfelt condolences to his wife, parents, siblings and other family and friends.
I didn’t know Dan, as he was 10 years younger than me, but I grew up in this community and knew his family.
I feel I came to know Dan from the stories and anecdotes given by his close friends. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have been allowed to be included in such a personal, raw display of emotion. It was so inspiring to see how one single person can affect an entire community.
Having just moved back to Enderby, after living in Calgary for 15 years, I realize it was this sense of community that makes small towns great.
More than 1,000 people came to his service, two-thirds of them firefighters and police officers from all over the province, everyone paying their respects to a man who “didn’t die a hero, but was born a hero.”
I was so awestruck by the compassion, love and camaraderie of all these men and women in this community and from this province. I am so proud of our town, for coming together to support each other. I am proud of my province for rallying around one of their own. I am proud of our firefighters for protecting our community.
Most of all, I am proud to be from Enderby.
RIP Captain Dan. You will be missed.
Rebecca Horvath
