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Hundreds of people waited in a somber line Friday night to pay their respects to Cameron Brucethe 2010 Staples graduate who died Sept. 13 at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontarioduring calling hours at Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport.
"Hundreds and hundreds of people have come by. There's more than an hour wait," said Mary Ann West, communications director at the church. "From community leaders, school officials, family and friendsthe outpouring of support has been wonderful."
Cameron's parents, Iain and Linda Bruce, are integral members of the community. Iain is president of the Westport Weston Family Y, and Linda is a member of the Representative Town Meeting.
Many hugs were shared among those who waited in the line outside the church, and some of those leaving the church could be seen wiping tears. No one wished to talk.
To help accommodate the number of people who came to pay their respects, additional parking was available at Westport Country Playhouse and Colonial Green.
Cameron, 18, a freshman at Queen's University who had planned to major in engineering, was found dead outside his dorm Sept. 13, the same day classes were scheduled to start at the university. Canadian authorities believe Cameron accidentally fell out of his dorm room window.
Cameron's funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Saugatuck Congregational Church. A celebration of Cameron's life will be held during Thanksgiving weekend in November.
Memorial donations can be made to the Cameron Bruce Scholarship for Trumpet at New England Music Camp, 8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney, ME 04330, or to a scholarship grant, which will be established in his memory, at Staples Tuition Grants, P.O. Box 5159, Westport, CT 06881.
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