Léa Guilbeault's Husband Weeps For His 'Sunshine': Peel St. Tragedy

Hani Beitinjaneh (right) cries as he sits in a wheelchair bound next to his wife's coffin during the funeral for Léa Guilbeault at Ste. Therese de l'enfant Jesus church in Montreal, Tuesday July 21 2009. Guilbeault was crushed to death when a piece of concrete fell from a building on Peel St. Photograph by: Allen McInnis, THE GAZETTE

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Léa Guilbeault’s family and friends gathered to say goodbye to their “sunshine” on Tuesday at Église Ste. Thérèse-de-l'Enfant Jésus on St. Hubert St.

Her husband, Hani Beitinjaneh, who was in a wheelchair from the injuries he sustained in the accident that killed Guilbeault, spoke to his late wife’s rose-draped casket between gasps and sobs.

“Léa, I love you, I will always miss you,” he said. “I’m so grateful to have had you in my life, even if it was sort a short period. I’m the luckiest man alive.”

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More News On The Peel Street Tragedy

Tearful husband says goodbye to Montrealer killed by falling concrete -- CBC
Funeral for Lea Guilbeault -- CTV
Mourners say goodbye at funeral for Montreal woman killed by concrete slab -- Canadian Press
'Hard to imagine she is gone' -- Vancouver Sun
Concrete death shocks coroner -- Vancouver Sun

Friends, Foes Come To Mourn Arturo Gatti In Little Italy

Arturo Gatti's mother, Ida, holds his World Boxing Council title belt as she leaves Notre-Dame-De-La-Dèfense church with other family members following his funeral in Montreal's Little Italy neighbourhood on July 20, 2009. Photograph by: John Mahoney, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - The fight game is a strange beast, filled with characters, cons and champions. Two guys pummel each other round after round and then, when it’s all over, embrace. Occasionally, lifelong friendships develop.

Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward fought three times – 30 rounds in total – over a span of 13 months earlier this decade; memorable bouts in which the two stood toe-to-toe, giving as well as they took. Gatti won two of the three 10-round bouts; fights that in many ways defined the careers of both.

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More News On Arturo Gatti

Gatti funeral attracts hundreds -- CBC
Boxing community pays respects at funeral for former champion Arturo Gatti -- CTV
Final bell sounds for former world boxing champion Arturo Gatti -- Canadian Press
Arturo Gatti gets final sendoff -- New York Daily News
Gatti remembered as fighter, friend -- Ottawa Citizen
Gatti's wife remains in jail, police backtracking -- AP

Family And Friends Gathered To Say Goodbye To Former Boxer Arturo Gatti

Mirella Gatti, right, sister of former boxer Arturo Gatti, arrives at her brother's visitation with her family, at Magnus Poirier funeral home in Montreal, Sunday, July 19, 2009. Arturo Gatti was found dead in a hotel room in Brazil on July 11. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

From Canadian Press:

MONTREAL — Friends and boxing-world colleagues said goodbye to former fighter Arturo Gatti on Sunday, filing slowly passed the closed coffin that rested under one of the welterweight's world championship belts, a pair of white boxing gloves and a massive wreath spelling out his nickname - 'Thunder' - in red flowers.

In fact, every wall in the north end Montreal funeral home was covered from floor-to-ceiling in elaborate flower arrangements from fans and well-wishers. Bouquets surrounded a photograph of the former boxing champion flashing his trademark winning smile.

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