Friday, December 19, 2025
ADVT 
National

Winnipeg's 'homeless hero' dies after alcoholism, jail and attempts at help

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 19 Aug, 2014 10:44 AM
    A man known as Winnipeg's "Homeless Hero" is being remembered as someone who battled alcoholism and other demons right up until his final days.
     
    Faron (FAH'-run) Hall's body was pulled from the Red River on Sunday and police say the death is not considered suspicious.
     
    Hall, who was 49, gained fame in 2009 when he risked his own life two separate times to save people from drowning in the river.
     
    Hall sometimes lived underneath a bridge and was candid about a lifelong battle with alcoholism.
     
    Marion Willis, who housed Hall in recent years, says he often sought treatment, but could not get into a long-term addictions program.
     
    Willis says Hall was in and out of jail, usually for violating an order to abstain from alcohol, and told her a few weeks ago he was going to beat the bottle.
     
    Manitoba deputy premier Eric Robinson talked with Hall in June and says Hall was stubborn and battled serious addiction, but was a kind soul who respected people.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Russia bans food imports from Canada; 'we will not be intimidated,' says Moore

    Russia bans food imports from Canada; 'we will not be intimidated,' says Moore
    Russia is responding to fresh sanctions from Canada, the U.S. and other countries with a ban on food imports for a year, as well as threatening airspace retaliation....

    Russia bans food imports from Canada; 'we will not be intimidated,' says Moore

    Lagging immigration reform in U.S. good for Canada: Jason Kenney

    Lagging immigration reform in U.S. good for Canada: Jason Kenney
    Stalled immigration reforms in the United States are an opportunity for Canada to scoop up a wealth of young, "brilliant" foreign nationals and direct them into burgeoning tech-sector employment, the federal employment minister said 

    Lagging immigration reform in U.S. good for Canada: Jason Kenney

    Canadian couple detained in China 'very frustrated and confused,' Son says

    Canadian couple detained in China 'very frustrated and confused,' Son says
    Two days after their arrest in China on suspicion of stealing state secrets, a Canadian couple was able to tell their children Wednesday that they weren't under any physical duress, but remained confused and upset about the allegations.

    Canadian couple detained in China 'very frustrated and confused,' Son says

    Snow still piled up in these dog days of summer in Winnipeg

    Snow still piled up in these dog days of summer in Winnipeg
     It’s the dog days of summer, but there's still snow to be found in the city nicknamed Winterpeg. Jim Berezowsky, manager of street maintenance for Winnipeg, says there is still snow at the four dump sites used by the city.

    Snow still piled up in these dog days of summer in Winnipeg

    Women bare bellies in bikinis to support Edmonton mom mocked over stretch marks

    Women bare bellies in bikinis to support Edmonton mom mocked over stretch marks
    About two dozen women pulled on bikinis in downtown Edmonton to support a mother who says she was mocked over her stretch marks.

    Women bare bellies in bikinis to support Edmonton mom mocked over stretch marks

    B.C. boosts addictions research and treatment with $3 million in funding

    B.C. boosts addictions research and treatment with $3 million in funding
    The British Columbia government is boosting funding for addictions research and treatment in the province, with money going towards testing of a drug that can block the effects of heroin and alcohol.

    B.C. boosts addictions research and treatment with $3 million in funding