He respected Terry Fox for decades. Now, Eddie Nolan has been honored in Montreal

Friday marked the anniversary of a special day in Canadian history. Terry Fox started running from east to west 44 years ago.

His story has inspired generations of Canadians, but few as much as Eddie Nolan.

After watching Fox run in Montreal, Nolan became interested in running and has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research each year by organizing and participating in the Terry Fox Runs.

Nolan died on Friday at the age of 67, but his memory lives on at Roslyn Elementary School in Westmount, where he worked as a custodian for 13 years. The first of the annual tradition began Friday – a tour of the school in Nolan's honor.

“He was a very special person, and he did great things and thought of other people than himself,” said Randy Stroll, a friend and colleague of Nolan's.

Roslyn's principal, Joanna Genovezos, said Nolan was a great caregiver, but she did so much more.

“He was also someone who connected with students and staff and had a heart for raising money for cancer,” he said.

Kathryn Chaudhuri, a 12-year-old sixth-grader in Roslyn, always participates in the Terry Fox Run at school. She said it's important to raise awareness about cancer and how Fox coped. She met Nolan when she was in 2nd grade.

“I heard a lot of good stories about him and how kind he was and he always said 'be kind because it doesn't cost anything,'” Chaudhuri said.

Mark Sokalski, a gym teacher in Roslyn, first met Nolan in 2007.

“He was more than your average keeper,” Sokalski said. “He always took time to talk to the kids.”

Because Nolan made a connection with the students, the kids were eager to participate in the school's Terry Fox Run, he said.

In the early 90s, Nolan lost both his sisters to cancer. In 2011, Nolan was diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. He stopped working as a custodian, but he didn't stop raising money or inspiring young students in Roslyn.

Nolan told the CBC he received about 500 wellness cards in two weeks.

A year after his diagnosis, Nolan ran the Sherbrooke Street Marathon on April 12, prompting the day to be designated as Terry Fox Day. Crowded on the sidewalk and cheering his name, Nolan began his run at Montreal West, high-fiving supporters as he ran. Roslyn students lined up in Westmount Park to support him.

With the Marathon of Hope, he brought the whole country together, you know? Nolan told CBC News at the time. “He was a special person.”

Nolan has organized or participated in dozens of Terry Fox runs. Every September since its inception, it has attended the annual event in Montreal. He led Roslyn's involvement, and he raised more than $1 million for cancer research over the years.

“Eddie is a legend in Roslyn,” Genovezos said. “Eddie will be missed, but his legacy will live on.”

Last year, on April 12, Nolan participated in his 43rd run to commemorate Fox's inaugural cross country.

Due to the declining quality of life, Nolan requested medically assisted death. He died on the anniversary of the day Fox began the Marathon of Hope by dipping his right foot into the Atlantic Ocean.

In a recent Facebook post, Nolan encouraged people to continue supporting the Terry Fox Foundation.

“Most importantly, be kind, free of charge,” he wrote.