Friends, family and strangers hold candlelight vigil in memory of Joshua Conant

Through the night and the cold, hundreds of people joined together on Quay Street Saturday evening in memory of a man who died suddenly one week earlier.

Joshua Conant’s friends and family remembered him as someone who was kind to others, who loved to work on cars and go fishing, and who was always making those around him feel better.

“He loved to make people laugh,” said Kaylie Dubs, a friend of Conant’s who participated in the march.

A candlelight vigil was held outside the Roche Bar where Conant died on Nov. 4. Some of those in attendance had known Conant for years. Others had never met him.

Vigil attendees on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, lay lit candles at the base of a sidewalk memorial for Joshua Conant. Hundreds turned out near Quay and Michigan to remember the 26-year-old following his death Nov. 4.

According to a news release from the Port Huron Police Department, Conant died after he was restrained by bar bouncers then police.

Several people brought flowers, candles and posters to show their support for Conant. A memorial, which had only included a few flowers on Nov. 6, now covered the whole fence.

Several speakers, including Conant’s parents, spoke about their love for Josh and thanking those who came out to support him, while also asking that the crowd remain peaceful.

Vigil attendees hold up signs, including “Justice for Josh,” during a march up Huron Avenue and around the block toward Quay and Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, during a gathering to remember Joshua Conant following his death Nov. 4.

“It’s heartwarming. This shows the community coming together,” Mark Sanderson, Conant’s uncle, said.

After listening to speakers, the crowd marched around the block onto Huron Avenue, turning back at Grand River Avenue and onto Michigan Street to head back to Quay Street.

Like several others, Sanderson was upset to learn of his nephew’s death. Several of the posters added to the memorial outside Roche Bar included “Justice for Joshua.”

Julie Weber said she never knew Conant, but came to the vigil because her own kids had been to Roche Bar.

“They need to close this bar down,” Weber said.

Dubs, along with her family, said she wanted to see those responsible for Joshua’s death put in jail. Dave Jennings, a friend of Conant’s family who knew him for 14 years, said the bouncers should be arrested, along with the Port Huron police officer who responded to the scene.

A news release from the Port Huron police Department stated officers “helped secure the individual being held down by bar staff and immediately recognized that the subject was unresponsive.”

Michigan State Police are leading the investigation into Conant’s death. Lt. Kim Vetter said an investigation may take months as police perform an autopsy and drug tests.

Conant’s friends and family avoided mentioning Roche Bar or the investigation in their comments, however, instead focusing on remembering Conant.

“He would just want us to love each other and to get through this together,” said David Hart, a friend of Conant’s who spoke at the vigil. “That’s all we can do. I love you Josh.”

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Friends, family and strangers hold vigil in memory of Joshua Conant