HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) – It's not everyday where you hear about someone attending their own wake. But for one local man, it was his wish before he dies.

Richard Margeson was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2017, and told he had approximately three years to live. Unsatisfied with not being able to be at his own wake, he had the idea to have a living wake, more along the lines of a celebration of life.

“I wanted to get with people and talk to them and hug them and tell them I love them, things like that,” said Margeson.

The amount of people that kept walking through the doors at the American Legion in support, was overwhelming. A line filled the room before people mingled waiting to embrace Richard and share memories.

“I told him don't worry, you're going to live until you're 120, you just keep doing what you're doing. All your friends and family around you, look what you've got, you got to live,” said Marlene Little.

However, Richard admits that he was nervous to go to the celebration.

“In real life, you got to get out there and take chances and so that's what I had to do. There's so many good people out in the world and those are the type of people that you want to talk to, be part of and be with,” said Margeson.