Messages cover an impromptu memorial that has appeared at the corner of Bute and Davie streets wishing a man named Boomer peace.
"Our gentle giant," reads one. "Enjoy yourself now, up there with all the scratchies you can handle. I miss you already."
"You were always so kind," says another. "Much love and peace. Rest well great spirit."
"To my gentle giant, I enjoyed sharing oranges, words and smiles with you!" sings Nancy.
"I never knew your name, but I knew your smile," says one.
Passersby share similar sentiments, calling him "iconic" and talking about their respect for the man they knew as Boomer, who spent much of the last several years at the corner outside the Circle K.
Boomer passed away Friday, Feb. 12, on the spot where the memorial stands now, say locals. Tami Starlight describes him as an easygoing, helpful man.
"His passing has really struck a lot of people who've been in this community for a very long time," Starlight says.
The memorial is made up of all sorts of things, as all kinds of people stop to remember Boomer. There are flowers, candles, his sleeping bag, signs, snacks and even a scratched lotto ticket that's worth a free ticket. Some wrote beside it that they were planning on giving it to boomer the next time they saw him.
"As soon as I got here, somebody walked up to me and said, I went to high school with him," says Starlight. "I was just standing in awe."
Vancouver police say Boomer's death was not suspicious in nature.
