Town pays tribute to Pelham councillor
Rick Doucet couldn’t bear the circumstances in the wake of the death of his close friend Mike Ciolfi.
“I’m still in shock. It can’t end this way,” Doucet said, his personal grief for the Ward 1 Pelham councillor coming through in his voice.
Ciolfi died Monday morning. It has been reported — but not confirmed — the 51-year-old had been diagnosed as having COVID-19. Current public health guidelines — aimed at curbing the spread of the virus — limit gatherings to no more than five people, plus physical distancing requires people maintain a space of two metres from others.
For Doucet, these factors meant the community couldn’t come together to properly mourn Ciolfi’s death.
Doucet first met Ciolfi 20 years ago when both men’s children played organized sports together.
“We had daughters who were the same age and the relationship just grew.”
He knew he wanted to do something for his friend. The first thought was a candlelight vigil with everyone maintaining proper physical distance.
“But my oldest daughter (Julia) thought that still might not be safe.”
That’s when Julia suggested a drive-by vigil. She posted the event on Facebook and Instagram and the idea captured the imagination of town residents.
By Doucet’s count, close to 400 vehicles took part in Tuesday’s observance. Vehicles wound their way through the streets of Fenwick. The motorcade was led by Pelham Fire Department volunteers from Station 2 on Welland Road, eventually passing by the councillor’s home on Church Street.
“It was so super,” Doucet said. “There were so many people.”
One of those people was Cathy Berkhout-Bosse.
“I was so very proud of all of our community members who attended,” she said. “It was an incredibly surreal experience of sharing our respect for a muchloved human being — a pilgrimage to express our sadness, but there was also a feeling of hope in our solidarity.”
The town is encouraging residents who wish to help a charity in Ciolfi’s memory to make donations to Pelham Cares. Donations can be made at pelhamcares.org/donate.
“His tireless work on council and several volunteer committees highlighted his love for municipal leadership and helping those in the community,” said a statement on the town’s website. “His impact as a family member, friend and community leader cannot be understated.”