Montrealers honour Father Emmett 'Pops' Johns at public visitation

Montrealersstopped byCity Hall Thursday to pay their respectstoFather Emmett "Pops" Johns, the founder of Dans la rue and a well-known advocate forhomeless and at-risk youth.

"He just had the biggest heart," saidTalasiaTarkirk.

Johns, who died on Jan. 13 at the age of 89, devoted his life to helping others.

• How 'Pops' changed lives: Remembering the founder ofDansla rue

In 1988, Johns started the Montreal-based charityDansla rue,which offers a safe space for at-risk youth. Itnow has more than 65 employees and nearly 135 volunteers.

Tarkirk told CBC that she was 15 when she ran away from home in 1994. Shefirst met Johnsat a park in downtown Montreal where he would tour around in Dansla rue's iconic van, giving out food and supplies.

"When he showed up, I was too scared to go in the van. And so somebody told him there was a girl too nervous to come on the van, so he came out to me," she recalled.

Tarkirk,one of hundreds who came to City Hall to pay their respects Thursday afternoon, ended up volunteering with the organization for seven years, working closely with Johns.

"[He] really showed the community how to love people how not to discriminate," she said.

The visitation continues at City Hall on Friday, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A final farewell will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27, with a funeral mass at Saint Patrick's Basilica in downtown Montreal.

The service is open to the public and will begin at 10:30 a.m.