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[溫哥華本地新聞] Not a dry eye as thousands mourn North Vancouver's
Not a dry eye as thousands mourn North Vancouver's fallen Search and Rescue hero Tim Jones (with video)
Family, friends, political leaders, community remember man committed to helping those in trouble
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Jones+daughter+everything+humanly+possible+save+life+firefighter+says/9414380/story.html#ixzz2rW2pOIIE
METRO VANCOUVER -- When Taylor Jones said goodbye to her dad and best friend at a memorial service Saturday in North Vancouver for fallen search and rescue hero Tim Jones, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd.
“You are now my angel and an angel for anyone who goes in the mountains,” said Taylor Jones, affectionately called “Bunny” by her father. The younger Jones openly wept as she braved speaking to mourners inside the Centennial Theatre, and thousands more crammed into the parking lot to watch the service on massive television screens.
Jones’s son Curtis said during the memorial service that the one word to describe his dad was “unique”. He choked back tears as he recalled going on a search and rescue mission two years ago with his dad on Father’s Day. He said that not getting to the stranded climber was not an option.
“I feel privileged that he was my best friend, my mentor and colleague,” said Curtis Jones, who is also a member of the North Shore Search and Rescue team.And in a heart-wrenching pledge that had many in the crowd sobbing, he added: “Dad, when the pager goes we’ll be there.”
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North Shore Search and Rescue leader Tim Jones, also known as the Shredder and the Master of Disaster, was just 57 years old when he died suddenly on his way down from the rescue group’s cabin on Mount Seymour last Sunday.
He was revered for being a unique individual who was always prepared for any situation, whether it was an earthquake or heading out to rescue someone stranded in blizzard conditions.
Taylor Jones, who, through heart-wrenching sobs, joked about cringing every time she read something her dad said to the press, said Jones was the most caring father and loving husband to their mother. He also loved his dog, a Husky named Abby that always accompanied him into the backcountry.
“I will miss saying ‘I love you’ but I will always remember how often we told each other that. I will miss him calling me Bunny and I’ll always remember how special he made me feel.”
Tears streamed down the faces of family and friends, as well as people from across Metro Vancouver who came out to honour a man many called a hero and an extraordinary larger-than-life person.
Taylor said she will always remember the happy moments that she shared with her father from the mountains, staring out over the city, and the peace and calm that he felt in the forest and the quiet.
When Jones’ ashes were brought out of the service and taken to a waiting helicopter to be flown and spread across his beloved North Shore mountains, a hush fell over those gathered outside.
It was an emotional final farewell to a man who touched so many lives.
The memorial event began at 10:30 a.m. with a hero parade led by the North Shore Search and Rescue team from 15th Street and Forbes Avenue in North Vancouver to the Centennial Theatre.
More than 1,000 emergency responders including police officers, paramedics and search and rescue team members marched in the sombre procession, as helicopters and planes circled in the sunny blue sky above.
Jones’s friend Ross Hallaway said he will miss the Master of Disaster, who was the go-to guy for any problem. “Go peacefully, good buddy,” said Hallaway, offering condolences to Jones’ wife Lindsey and rest of family.
Champlain John Lowe read Jones’ obituary at the memorial service, saying the world “are blessed” to have had Jones and “his legacy will live on.”
In a letter read at the service, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered condolences to the hero’s family and said Jones was a dedicated and hard-working volunteer who knew how to get things done.
Premier Christy Clark was also not in attendance, but in a letter read by Justice Minister Suzanne Anton she said Jones was a tireless advocate for the North Shore Search and Rescue and for the citizens of B.C. Jones and his team saved lives, she said, and “We are grateful for their courage and commitment.”
Many of those in the crowd were from the close community of North Vancouver, and reflected on some moments they will never forget. Jeanette Bertelsen, a North Vancouver resident, broke down in tears as she remembered Jones helping her. She said he came to her house in North Vancouver in October as a paramedic because she fell and cracked her head. “He was such a sweetheart. He calmed me right down. This is such a sad day.” said Bertelsen, 68, as she watched the memorial.
Bertelsen also praised Jones for all the lives he has saved, noted that so many people in the community of North Vancouver have a story to tell of Jones. “He touched so many lives’” she said.
Jones’s legacy will be the fund that he had always dream of to help pay for North Shore Search and Rescue operations. Donations to the Legacy Fund are being raised through the website FundRazer and all funds go directly to the North Shore Search and Rescue.
As of Saturday morning, the site had raised more than $54,000.
Jones was walking with his daughter and North Shore firefighter Erik Bjarnason on Sunday when he asked them to “hang on a minute” before collapsing.
Paramedics, firefighters and police were unable to revive him and Jones also a paramedic with the North Vancouver B.C. Ambulance Service, was later pronounced dead at Lions Gate Hospital. |
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發表於 2014-1-26 06:42
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