Torch inspires family reunion

Harry O'Gay was honoured to carry the Olympic Flame into Clarenville on Saturday.

His 300-metre jog with the flame was made all the more special by having his entire family cheering him on.

"It's hard to explain. It's such an honour to be able to do this...emotions are high, it's true," O'Gay told the cheering crowd after lighting the Olympic cauldron on stage.

"It's a great honour to be chosen for this, and it's a great honour for the ski club that I'm involved in and all the friends in the ski club, my family and all of Clarenville,"

More than 1000 people came out to the new Regional Events Centre to take part in the celebration, including all of O'Gay's children, who travelled from as far away as the Caymen Islands and Belize for the event.

"I wondered if I said the right thing," said O'Gay following his turn at the microphone on stage.

For his part, O'Gay was just delighted to have his family on hand.

O'Gay's eight children made the journey to Clarenville on Saturday. The family reunion was mostly a surprise.

The eight siblings are scattered far and wide - from Clarenville to the Canary Islands. By Friday, O'Gay knew he'd have six of them nearby to cheer him on, but two more showed up Saturday morning to round out the family.

"It's so hard to keep a secret - you don't know who's talking to who!" says O'Gay's daughter, Debby, of planning the surprise visit.

She made the trip from Toronto and brought her son, Cory, to see his grandfather carry the torch.

"It's a wonderful honour - beyond an honour," agree Debby's sisters, Gail and Denise, of watching their father be the final torchbearer in Clarenville.

"He's been a great role model."

Gail came from St. John's, while Denise also travelled from Toronto.

Other siblings are Margaret (Belize), John (Spain), Judith (Toronto), Brian (Toronto) and Robert (Clarenville).

O'Gay has 31 medals for running and cross-country ski events over the years.

At 79, he's still active, skiing and walking, depending on the season, as much as his age will allow.

Fellow ski club member Dave Warren initially put O'Gay's name forward for the honour, and the town of Clarenville forwarded his name to the Olympic Torch Relay committee, who made the final selection.

To see Harry O'Gay light the Olympic cauldron, visit www.thepacket.ca and click on Video On Demand.


lbutton@thepacket.ca