Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Man, 96, holds pre-emptive wake

|
|
 
  
Published: Nov. 16, 2009 at 3:11 PM

BEAVERTON, Ore., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A 96-year-old photographer in Oregon said he decided to plan and hold his own wake prior to his death so he could attend the event.

Hugh Ackroyd, 96, said he held the wake for family and friends Sunday at the Beaverton home of friend Edda Sigurdar, The Oregonian reported Monday.

"Well, why not?" Ackroyd said of leading his own wake. "Why bother when (I'm) dead?"

Ackroyd, a father of two whose wife died about 12 years ago, sat in his padded wheelchair and greeted his friends as they arrived for the event. He said one of his favorite items at the wake was a wreath bearing a ribbon reading: "Eventually, Hugh, rest in peace."

"It's quite magnificent," Ackroyd said of his wake.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Cheerleaders of 2012 Tibetan pilgrims celebrate New Years Oscar nominations 2012
2011: The year in space The Most Desirable Women of 2012 The best kisses
Additional Odd News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
1 of 20
Cold snap across Europe
View Caption
fark
British swingers club may be forced to close because your mom can't keep her gangbangs at a reasonable...
Angry dad de-lifes couple for defriending his daughter on Facebook
Mexico wants to be less decapitatey, more touristy
Family heartbroken after thieves steal baby's ashes from suburban home. Suspect described as female,...
Los Angeles may fine you $1,000 if you throw any object besides a beach ball or volleyball on a...
Sometimes you get bored at work. Sometimes you view porn. Protip: Don't view it in the middle of...