RUMFORD — Less than a day before Greg Viger died, more than 100 community members gathered Sunday afternoon outside the window of his room at Rumford Hospital to show him their love.

Viger, 56, who photographed community events most of his life, died Monday, some two weeks after learning he had stage four liver cancer.

Dorie Oakes, who helped organize Sunday’s gathering, said, “This incredibly special person has memorialized every special event in Rumford, Mexico and this area for years, and it’s time we celebrate him. This is his day.”

“This is a celebration of life today so he can celebrate with us. So he can know just how much everyone here loves him,” she said.

“We want to give back to him what he’s given to all of us. We want to give him that hug before we can’t,” Melissa Fallon said.

As people held hands and formed a half circle in the parking lot, Viger looked on from his bed, surrounded by family. He waved a couple of times, holding his trademark camera in his hands.

Then, on the count of three, everyone waved, made heart shapes with their hands and yelled, “We love you, Greg!”

Since graduating from Rumford High School in 1981, Viger had his own business, Photos by Greg Viger, providing photography for engagements, graduations, family gatherings and sporting events.

He closed his business Nov. 7, 2018, because of his declining health.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

From his hospital bed, Greg Viger holds his camera as he watches community members pay tribute to him on Sunday. He passed away the next morning. (Rumford Falls Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Pete Theriault and Wanda Cote, who graduated with Greg Viger from Rumford High School, hold up a message for him outside his room at Rumford Hospital on Sunday. (Rumford Falls Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Viewed by Greg Viger from his hospital bed, more than a hundred community members created a half circle in a portion of the Rumford Hospital parking lot on Sunday, then waved, made heart shapes with their hands and yelled, “We love you, Greg!” (Rumford Falls Times photo by Bruce Farrin)