'Part of my childhood died' says one fan as funeral held for Corey Haim Brandon Sun Online

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

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National

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

'Part of my childhood died' says one fan as funeral held for Corey Haim

TORONTO - Fallen teen icon Corey Haim was remembered with tears and laughter Tuesday as hundreds of friends, relatives and fans gathered at a funeral home to honour a troubled former heartthrob whose films helped define a generation.

Stone-faced relatives held each other as they filed into the private ceremony, while small groups of fans lingered on the outskirts of the property.

Dan Pigeau said he, his wife and a friend drove about an hour from Oshawa, Ont., to pay their respects, even though none had ever met the star of '80s hits including "Lucas," "The Lost Boys" and "License to Drive."

"Some people might say it's a little silly, you didn't know the person," said Pigeau.

"It doesn't matter. You watch the person's movies, you watch the person's TV shows, you listen to a person's music and it becomes a part of your life. To me, it's kind of like a part of my childhood died. At 31, I still watch the guy's movies. I still love 'The Lost Boys'."

The Toronto-born Haim died in a Los Angeles-area hospital last week after suffering flu-like symptoms that included an enlarged heart and water in his lungs. He was 38.

In recent years Haim spoke openly about a lengthy battle with drug addiction, but it is not known what role it may have played in his death.

Substance abuse dogged the baby-faced actor for much of his life, with Haim telling a UK tabloid in 2004 that it began soon after he gained pin-up status as a teenager. Repeated attempts to return to the spotlight included a short-lived reality show on A&E called "The Two Coreys," in which he starred with friend and "The Lost Boys" co-star Corey Feldman.

Distant relative Maytal Kotler said Haim's darker times weren't a part of Tuesday's memorial, which focused on stories about his sweet nature.

"Only good things, of course," said Kotler, estimating that several hundred mourners filled the chapel.

"(People talked about how) he was a good soul and a very fun-loving guy, (with a) big heart, a good person overall. And he's always going to be remembered for that."

She said the service included speeches from Haim's best friend, an aunt and a cousin.

"It was very touching," said Kotler, who described herself as a cousin's cousin but didn't grow up with Haim. "There was some laughter, a lot of crying."

Friend Heather Leikam, 31, a former neighbour who met Haim in 2001, said before the memorial that his mother Judy has been a "pillar" of strength.

Leikam remembered Haim as a friendly soul who spoke openly about his problems.

"He made nothing secret but he also didn't have anything to apologize for," Leikam said.

"When I met him he was living very modestly. One of the first times I hung out we went for a walk. What kind of guy asks you to go for a walk? I thought that was sweetest thing I'd ever heard."

Fan Jennifer Matton said she drove alone all the way from Philadelphia - more than 800 kilometres - on Monday night to pay her respects.

"I think I am his No. 1 fan," said Matton, a 35-year-old nurse and mother of four.

"I've loved him since I was 13 years old.... I loved him so much that my father even called to wish me condolences when he passed away."

On Monday, Feldman said he was planning a public memorial in Los Angeles and would not attend the funeral in Toronto to respect the family's wishes that it remain private.

That didn't stop reporters from gathering outside the Steeles Memorial Chapel hours before the service. Media outlets, including the U.S. tabloid show "Inside Edition," began arriving as early as 6 a.m.

Feldman posted a 600-word letter to Haim on his blog Tuesday and wished the Haim family a calm and peaceful day.

"Nobody will ever make me laugh as hard as you did," wrote Feldman, who also co-starred with Haim in "License to Drive," "Dream A Little Dream," and "Dream A Little Dream 2."

"Nobody will ever make me fight as hard as you did. Nobody will ever challenge me the way you did. Nobody will ever need me the way you did. My mission in life became saving yours. I never gave up, I tried ... I walked away, but I always came back, to let you know I was there. In a dark and lonely world with spiteful angry people we always understood each other's pain."

Feldman said he wished Haim could see how much he was adored by fans and the intense media coverage of his death.

"It is such a shame they all had to wait until you were gone to give you the respect you were due as an actor, which is what you truly were," said Feldman.

"The great Canadian actor Corey Haim! I love you.... I will do my very best to help give you a memorial that is a celebration of your life the way you would have wanted it ... with everybody laughing and rocking out!"

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The Brandon Sun is a divison of FP Newspaper Group.

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