A B.C. search-and-rescue leader who died suddenly last week was honoured Saturday with a procession and memorial attended by thousands in North Vancouver.
Tim Jones, who helped save hundreds of lives over the course of his career, was remembered at an emotional memorial service by family, friends and first responders who came to pay respects to one of their own.
The 57-year-old worked for decades as a paramedic and spent 25 years volunteering with North Shore Rescue, leading the team and helping those who were lost or injured.
He died last weekend after collapsing from an apparent heart attack on Mount Seymour.
He was remembered as a compassionate man who would put his own life on the line to help others.
“Tim, your work is now done here and all would agree it was done exceptionally well,” said friend Ross Hallaway said in a eulogy. “Go peacefully, good buddy.”
Son Curtis, who works on the same rescue team, shared a memory of conducting a rescue with Jones one Fathers’ Day.
“I’ll never forget the pride that I saw in his eyes,” Curtis said.
Search and rescue workers from across British Columbia joined the procession as others gathered around an outdoor screen to watch the service.
Following the service, Jones’s remains were placed aboard a rescue helicopter for a final flight.
Meanwhile, a group of outdoor enthusiasts are pushing to rename one of Mount Seymour’s peaks in honour of Jones.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
