It was a chance for the community where Cpl. Brian Pinksen spent his early years to say goodbye and to show their support for his family as students, staff and community members awaited a procession that would bring the body of Pinksen to Sop’s Arm Pentecostal Assembly for burial.
The procession commenced after a private funeral service took place at First Pentecostal Church in Corner Brook Wednesday.
Level 3 students at Main River Academy, Sarah Pittman and Nadine Lovell knew Pinksen when he lived in Sop’s Arm.
“During the holidays, he’d be around Christmas, New Year’s, Easter. He was always smiling and laughing. He was always trying to get someone to laugh,” said Lovell.
Lovell said she knows the student body and local community appreciate the chance to say goodbye and show their support for Pinksen’s family.
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“A lot of people in our school now are younger, so they might not know him so well, but it’s so important just to show respect to him and what he has done for our province and country and our community too,” she said.
Heartfelt thanks
Pittman said both she and Lovell know Pinksen’s family very well since his grandparents and some aunts, uncles and cousins still live in Sop’s Arm.
“I hope this sends a heartfelt message to the family.
“I think it’ll be nice, just so they know we’re thinking of him and praying for their family and that it does mean a lot to everyone around here.
“It’s obviously a hard time,” she said.
Sonia Lovell, principal of Main River Academy, said Pinksen went to school with her son at the former schools of B. T. Fradsham Pentecostal in Sop’s Arm and St. Michael’s Elementary in Pollards Point before he moved to Corner Brook around the age of 10.
She said it was necessary to acknowledge the local connection and appreciate how the devastating news of Pinksen’s death touched the community.
“There are issues in life that are worth putting your life on the line for. If somebody decides to do that, then it is something to be honoured and to look up to and I think for the students here, they’ve all been touched by this in some way or another,” said the principal.
It was evident the community mobilized to show their appreciation for Pinksen’s efforts in Afghanistan as yellow ribbons decorated Route 420 whether they were tied to houses, trees, posts or vehicles.
I think it’ll be nice, just so they know we’re thinking of him and praying for their family and that it does mean a lot to everyone around here. - Sarah Pittman
Students from Hampden Academy were bussed to Hampden Junction to say their farewells as a line of more than 40 vehicles followed the winding road to Sop’s Arm.
Garry Cassell watched the procession from his home in Pollards Point after hammering a large Canadian flag to his front porch. Cassell, who once taught both of Pinksen’s parents, said the loss has taken a personal toll on the community.
“Not only because he was in the forces, but being such a young person ... It’s sad, but there’s some sense of pride to show to the family as well, that we are behind them during this very difficult time ... In small communities, it’s very, very devastating for us,” he said.
khudson@thewesternstar.com
