Son recalls dad’s ‘legacy of love’
Victim killed trying to halt theft at mall remembered for compassion, civility
EDMONTON A man who died as a result of a brutal attack at Southgate Centre last week has left behind a “legacy of love,” his son said Thursday.
Sean Armstrong distributed a tribute to all media detailing the life of his father, Iain Armstrong, who was killed when he tried to stop a theft at the shopping mall Tuesday.
Armstrong died from his injuries Friday.
“His passing has been a sudden, alarming and tragic event, which in no way diminishes his fantastic accomplishments over the past 61 years,” Sean Armstrong wrote.
“He continuously exemplified civility and compassion towards others, leaving a legacy of love in the minds of the thousands of people with whom he interacted over the years.
“If we would all behave just a little bit more like Iain, the benefit to humanity would be spectacular,” he continued.
Iain Armstrong grew up in Liberia before he and his family returned briefly to their ancestral home of Scotland in 1967, before moving to Canada.
He graduated high school in 1976 before studying for a bachelor of arts majoring in economics at the University of Manitoba.
A “skilled and accomplished football player,” he played for the U of M Bisons before being called up to the CFL in 1979.
His football career came to a sudden end the same year due to a knee injury incurred at the B.C. Lions pre-season training camp.
He met his wife-to-be Sharon in August 1979 and they married a little over a year later.
After working for GMC, the Armstrongs, in partnership with Iain Armstrong’s brother and sisterin-law, Eric Armstrong and Judy Armstrong, founded Bunches Flower Co. in Edmonton.
“Bunches Flower Co. has since become a mainstay of the independent retail community in Edmonton, employing hundreds of people in the capital region over the past three decades,” Sean Armstrong wrote.
Besides his son, Iain Armstrong is survived by his wife and a daughter, Dana.
Mounties arrested Jordan Martin Cushnie, 23, on Sunday in Lac La Biche.
He was charged with seconddegree murder, robbery, mischief under $5,000 and possession of break and enter tools.
He is also facing multiple charges in relation to the arrest.
Cushnie’s previous convictions include aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon, according to court documents.
Cushnie has been taken to Edmonton and remains in police custody.