Alfred Barr - Canadian Air Force Fatality - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Alfred Barr

Master Cpl. Alfred Barr, age 31, died in the line of duty on March 8, 2017, near Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

Master Cpl. Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Alfred was a Search and Rescue Technician. These Air Force personnel find and save people in dangerous situations, sometimes under extreme conditions.

He was attending a training session which involved a parachute jump. Tragically, Alfred was mortally injured in an accident during the jump.

The tragic accident is under investigation by Air Force authorities. 

Alfred was originally from Lethbridge, Alberta. He joined the military in 2009 and had graduated from the search-and-rescue training course in June of 2016.

Friends and comrades describe Alfred as a man who was always smiling and who

was upbeat, hard-working and kind in spirit.

Light a candle for Alfred. Light his way to Heaven.

The members of the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron are in mourning over the death of their brother. Alfred was proud to be a Search and Rescue Technician. He stepped up and did what had to be done. He will be forever remembered.

Alfred's loved ones are devastated over his sudden and tragic death. He had a zest for life and was adventurous. He was optimistic. He was loving and was loved in return. He did his best. He will be forever mourned.

Alfred is survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members including but not limited to his mother, his sisters and his fiancée.

Thank you for your service to Canada, Alfred. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray that Alfred is in Heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Kirby Tott - Canadian Soldier died while on training in Shilo, Manitoba

Private Kirby Tott, age 25, of Prince George, British Columbia, died on July 25, 2015, at the Shilo Military Base in Manitoba, Canada. 

Kirby Tott

Kirby was undergoing a training exercise to become an Infantry soldier when he collapsed.  He had left his home province two weeks ago to go on this month long training exercise. 

There were no vehicles and no guns involved in his death. The cause of Kirby's death is under investigation.

Kirby was a member of the Rocky Mountain Rangers, a Reserve Regiment of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. The Brigade is a force generator that recruits, trains, and retains reserve soldiers and leaders to support Canadian Armed Forces in domestic emergencies and expeditionary operations.

In 2012 Kirby had joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist with the Rocky Mountain Rangers in Prince George, British Columbia.

He worked full time at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre. He had taken a month off of work to attend the military course.

Kirby was excited about the training.  His ultimate goal was to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He was happy to work with his military comrades.

Kirby's military comrades are in mourning over the death of their young brother. He

Light a candle for Kirby. Light
his way to Heaven.

will be forever remembered. 

Kirby's loved ones are devastated over his sudden and tragic death. He was a good kid and was happy and good-natured. He liked to joke around and laugh. He was into hockey and slo-pitch.  He will be forever mourned.

Kirby is survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members including his mother and father and his sister.

Thank you for serving, Kirby. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who die suddenly.  They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray that Kirby is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Colin Cheys, Jaime Siska and Joel Vertone - Good Samaritans in Winnipeg, Manitoba

On August 6, 2014, Harikesh Marwaha, age 24, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was enjoying a day at Rushing River Provincial Park, about 15 miles from Kenora, Ontario. 

Harikesh Marwaha

He and his family had gone camping. 

Details are unclear as to the location of the incident which has been reported as both Rushing River and Dogtooth Lake. However, around 6:30 p.m., Harikesh slipped on a rock, hit his head and went underwater. He was unconscious. 

People on shore screamed that Harikesh had gone under water. Three strangers came to his aid.

Colin Cheys dove into the water and on his second attempt was able to locate Harikesh.  Another man and a woman helped Colin drag Harikesh to safety.  Colin is a trained diver and a strong swimmer. 

CPR was performed but the situation looked grim and the rescuers felt that Harikesh

The Good Samaritan comes
to the aid of strangers, selflessly

was dead or near death.  However, they continued with CPR until Harikesh gasped for breath.  

The three persons involved in the rescue are Jaime Siska, Colin Cheys and Joel Vertone (an off-duty police officer).  All three are residents of Winnipeg. 

Harikesh will be forever grateful to the three people who came to his rescue.  He says that words can't express his gratitude. 

God bless Colin Cheys, Jaime Siska and Joel Vertone.   

Those who come to the aid of strangers in desperate need are the true heroes of our era.