Dans la rue to hold tribute at Parc Émilie-Gamelin
The funeral of Father Emmett Johns, the street-smart Catholic priest who founded Dans la rue, will be held in Montreal on Saturday, Jan. 27.
The time has not been confirmed for the service to be held at St. Patrick’s Basilica, said Étienne Lalonde, communications director at Dans la rue.
Johns’s casket will be at Montreal city hall on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26 to allow people to pay their respects. The hours are to be confirmed.
A tribute to Pops will be held Wednesday night at Parc ÉmilieGamelin at 5 p.m.
Dans la rue’s van will be there and staff will serve hotdogs and hot drinks. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard will attend.
The Quebec government has not offered to hold a national funeral for Johns, Lalonde said.
Johns, who was dubbed “Pops” by the thousands of homeless youth he befriended, died on Saturday at age 89.
In 1988, at the age of 60, Johns borrowed $10,000 to help buy a van and toured the streets of Montreal at night offering food, a warm drink and a sympathetic ear to street kids.
Since his death was announced on Dans la rue’s Facebook page, more than 1,700 people have posted their condolences.
Over the past few days, several former street kids have shared their memories of Pops and spoke of how he helped them rebuild their lives.
Johns destigmatized the issue of youth homelessness in Quebec and Dans la rue has provided marginalized youth with the tools and services to finish high school and receive job training.