The popularity and high esteem in which Milan Ilich was held was evident Friday as hundreds of people turned out for a celebration of Ilich's life at Richmond Funeral Home.
Those who couldn't squeeze into the home watched the service on a video screen outside.
Among the masses of friends and family were a number of representatives of the many charitable organizations that Ilich became famous for donating millions of dollars to during his 76 years.
Tributes to Ilich - Progressive Construction founder and owner, who died June 29 after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia - were made by his son Rick, friends Joseph Segal and Michael Audain and former premier Gordon Campbell. They all spoke in glowing terms of a man who always put others before himself and was almost generous to a fault with his money.
