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.

鈥淭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,鈥� said his widow Mare McHale in a speech on stage. 鈥淭ake care of yourself. This is not OK. And I feel a real responsibility to say that to you.鈥�

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

鈥淗e was the first one who ever thought I was funny,鈥� she said. 鈥淗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.

鈥淎nd he thought I was funny, he thought I was beautiful, and he was just so encouraging and so respectful.鈥�

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.

鈥淩ight away, Jeremy stood out to me. His excitement and passion and loud voice, which you know, you just couldn鈥檛 not hear,鈥� McHale said. 鈥淪omething that struck me right away was the passion that he had for radio, music, sports, but for his career.鈥�

McHale said the two 鈥渜uickly fell in love,鈥� 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.

鈥淲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,鈥� she said.

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

鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember when it was, but they lost the Stanley Cup and I haven ever seen a grown man so heartbroken,鈥� McHale recalled. 鈥淗e had to take a walk. I think he broke a few sticks that day,鈥� she added with a laugh.

Along with McHale鈥檚, dozens of the couple鈥檚 followers on social media, along with friends and family members, sent in videos talking about McGoran.

鈥淗e definitely impacted my life with his courageousness and bravery of speaking up about mental health issues,鈥� said one woman who said she had never met him, but got to know the family through McHale鈥檚 YouTube channel. 鈥淎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.鈥�

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

鈥淚 have never had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy or Mare, but I鈥檝e welcomed them into my life because of social media, through YouTube,鈥� said a woman from Chicago. 鈥淛eremy has impacted my life by showing me what a supportive partner is. I鈥檝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 鈥� it鈥檚 encouraging.鈥�

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.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just amazing to see how many people have turned up and are smiling and excited to be here,鈥� 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鈥檚 passions 鈥� 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.