Candlelight Vigil Planned In Memory Of Will Symonds

A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday in remembrance of a Bangor resident who died of an opioid overdose, and in hopes of spreading the word about the growing problem of substance abuse in the region.

Will Symonds passed away on May 6th of a heroin overdose. His death shocked many who knew of his successes, but were not aware of the depth of his troubles. Will spent his years at Bangor School on the soccer and swim teams, and serving as a distinguished member of the Junior Reserves Officers' Training Corp.

After high school, he attended Norwich University in Vermont, the oldest military college in the country. He enlisted in the Reserves and planned to attend basic training in 2014. But a work injury suffered at his job with Governor's Restaurant derailed those plans, and contributed to his addiction. At the time of his death, Will was working at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems in the IT department, and had just returned from a rehab facility in Texas. He was only 22 years old.

On Friday, the Bangor Area Recovery Network will remember Will Symonds with a candlelight vigil in Brewer. The folks at Barn invite folks to help them take the 'Circle of Caring Challenge' in his honor. 'Together, we shall stand united in purpose and spirit against Substance Use Disorder,' organizers say on the event's Facebook page.

Everyone is invited to join in Friday night at Doyle Field in Brewer, beginning at 8:30. BARN volunteers will be passing out candles and giving instructions.