Funerals held for man and woman killed in Hay River, N.W.T

Friends and family in Hay River, N.W.T. said goodbye this week to the man and woman killed in an alleged double murder.

Pews were full and people squeezed into the back of the Assumption Catholic Church for Garfield McPherson’s funeral on Thursday.

People at the service remembered the life of a good friend and fisherman.

McPherson worked on Great Slave Lake for decades.

"He grew up on the lake fishing with us from a young age … He was one of the best fishermen I ever worked with and I'm sad to see him go," said Sam Lepine, his first cousin.

Joann Morin was in a common-law relationship with McPherson for 27 years.

"He was a really kind guy. He used to help everybody out when they had to do work. He said I don’t want to get paid but I’ll do it," she said.

Morin said the last time she spoke to him, they talked about getting back together.

"He said he still loved me and I told him I’d talk to him tomorrow but I never seen him."

Friends said McPherson shouldn't be remembered for the tragic way he died, but by memories of the way he lived.

The church was full again Friday for Carol Buggin’s funeral. She died in the same June 28 incident.

Marvelle Buggins remembered her sister as someone with a good sense of humour.

"She always had a side to her that she would try to make you laugh. She was good that way, she was an awesome sister. Awesome. I just can't believe this happened."

Carol Buggins had three sons. One of them, Luther Simpson, said she had celebrated the birth of her first grandchild in March this year.

"Her face would light up every time she saw him. I’m going to miss seeing that. It's hard."

Benedict Corrigal is facing two charges of first-degree murder in relation to McPherson and Buggin’s deaths.