2 September 2008
Washago Man Killed by Train
Bala Ontario - "A one-of-a-kind"
man who was "extremely kind to everyone," Warren Mangan, of Washago was killed early Sunday morning after being hit by a
train in Bala.
According to a Bracebridge OPP news release, the incident occurred just after midnight on the railroad tracks near the Kee to Bala. An
eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train struck Mangan, who police said was sitting on the tracks. Mangan was transported to South
Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge where he was pronounced dead. The OPP are still investigating the situation.
Erika Cole, Mangan's girlfriend, said "he was the love of my life and he was loved by everyone. Anyone who came into contact with
Warren had light brought into their life," she said through tears.
Cole said Mangan was very passionate about music and woodworking.
"I taught him a few chords on the guitar and he bought one, picked it up and immediately he was playing all these crazy
songs," she recalled. "(He was) very passionate about his friends and his family." The 26-year-old man
attended Twin Lakes Secondary School and made a living working at the Washago gas station and selling the wood pieces he made.
Mangan enjoyed his life in Washago, his hometown that he wrote about in a poem before he passed away, called Sweet Home Washago.
"Washago is my house, the picnic tables are my couch, the street my television, the stores are my fridge," the poem says.
"All this being said, I have a 75,000-square-foot home that's priceless. Washago is like your parents' house. When
(life) gets (rough) you're always welcome back home."
On Sunday a group on the social networking site Facebook was created in memory of Mangan, which had more than 140 members at press
time.
"I'm not surprised that happened," Cole said. "Everybody loved Warren."
Crystal Tudhope, Mangan's sister, said she couldn't verbalize how amazing her brother was. She said it was easier to write down her
feelings, which she did online.
"Warren... First off I love you and I will miss you so much. I think you are an amazing person and will never forget that. I'm so
happy you kept making all of your wooden pieces of art you were so talented when it came to that. I am so glad to have you as my
brother and I just wish I had you longer," she wrote. "I will never forget you, you will be in my heart forever."
Another friend wrote: "You never judged me, friend and that's why I loved you. I'll miss you forever and I hope I am able to
inspire people in my lifetime as much as you did..."
The family is having a celebration of his life at the Washago Community Centre on Saturday from 4 to 7
p.m.
|
