UPDATE: Hundreds pay tribute to Saskatoon lawyer Ian Buckwold

Hundreds of family members and friends paid their respect to Saskatoon lawyer Ian Buckwold at an emotional funeral Friday.

People filled the service at the Agudas Israel Synagogue in Saskatoon and spilled outside on the lawn where chairs and a sound system were set up to accommodate the large crowd of supporters.

Alvin Buckwold, 31, is charged after his father Ian was found dead in Emma Lake over the weekend. Alvin struggles with schizophrenia, something Ian and his wife Mary Ellen publicly spoke about through their mental health advocacy.

Ian's daughter Jessica delivered a powerful eulogy full of laughs and tears. Remembered as a practical jokester, notoriously frugal and a fierce mental health advocate, Ian cherished his family above all else she said.

Jessica said her Jewish father and his Catholic wife Mary Ellen eloped at his brother's home about 35 years ago. The couple's parents were only told of the small gathering hours before the ceremony, where his brother, Bruce Buckwold, acted as the best man and wedding photographer. Through a smile, Jessica noted that none of the wedding pictures turned out and the marriage was blessed with a hearty meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

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Ian and Mary Ellen were bound for Banff on their honeymoon, but not before Ian's orange BMW broke down and they had to spend a night at a motel in Drumheller.

Ian was known by many as someone who liked practical jokes. Jessica remembered several gags, including when he convinced his daughters (Jessica and Laura) he was selling the family cabin at Emma Lake. Another time he convinced a family member that he had won the lottery and one time he told Jessica her sister was pregnant.

Jessica's two children, Marcus and Ruth Jaskowiak, are Ian's only grandchildren whom he spent a lot of time with. Ian's recent years in retirement, after working as legal counsel for the Concorde Group for 20-some years were spent busily cycling, boating, golfing, and most often with his grandchildren. Whether he was at his home in Saskatoon, at his place in Phoenix or at his cabin in Emma Lake, Ian found time to share time with family and friends.

Jessica spoke of what she called the tragic circumstances that led to her father's death. In an emotional plea, she urged the continued advocacy for mental health support in the province so her father's death would not be in vain. Violence is not typical of people who suffer with schizophrenia, she said through tears.

She reminded the service of her father's forgiving nature and aptness for giving second chances before walking from the podium into a warm embrace from her family in the front row.

As a young man, Ian worked at Camp Easter Seal and “remained committed to organizations and activities supporting those who face special challenges in life,” read his obituary. Ian and Mary Ellen were co-chairs of the Future In Mind campaign and were instrumental in the creation of the Les and Irene Dube Center for Mental Health.

Alvin made his first court appearance Tuesday morning in Prince Albert Provincial Court, where he was remanded into custody until next Tuesday.

Prince Albert RCMP received a complaint about a sudden death at a residence on Marine Drive in Emma Lake at about 5:20 p.m Sunday. Montreal Lake RCMP responded and found Ian dead inside the home.

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