Durham first responders show support for family of couple killed in Nova Scotia mass shooting

With sirens booming and lights flashing, a long line of Durham first responders drove by the home of an Oshawa man who lost his mother and stepfather in the mass shooting in Nova Scotia on Sunday.

Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn were longtime Durham residents with Dawn working at Hillsdale Terraces, an Oshawa long-term care home, for decades until she retired in 2019.

After retiring, the couple moved to Nova Scotia. They were among the 19 people killed in the mass shooting on April 19.

On Monday night at roughly 8 p.m., a large contingent of first responders drove by the Wicklow Court home of Jon Farrington to pay respects to Jon, a security guard in Lakeridge Health's Oshawa ER, as well as his brother Ryan and their family.

Among the first responders were Durham Regional Police Services officers, Oshawa Fire Services firefighters, Region of Durham EMS, OPP officers, St. John's Ambulance and GO Transit police.

Jon waved and shook hands with the first responders and was given a hearty hug by a police officer.

Earlier in the day regional chairman John Henry had offered condolences to the families of all the victims including the families of Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn.

"Our hearts go out to their family and all families affected by this senseless tragedy," said Henry adding that flags at regional buildings are flying at half mast to honour the victims of the shooting.

A GoFundMe account has been created to support Jon and Ryan Farrington.

Reka Szekely is a reporter for DurhamRegion.com. Reach her via email: rszekely@durhamregion.com