Family and friends say goodbye to Guelph father killed in workplace accident

CTV Kitchener: Honouring Terry Jay Mourners gather to remember Terry Jay, the Guelph father killed in a workplace accident at Pearson Airport. Nadia Matos was there.

Family and friends gathered Saturday for the funeral of Terry Jay. The young Guelph father died last week in a workplace accident near Pearson International Airport.

The service, held at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home Heart Chapel, was standing-room only.

“At 23, he is the only person of his generation I personal know to have built a business from scratch, started a family and bought a house with his wife to build their life together,” Cole Dolny, Jay’s uncle, told the crowd of mourners.

Jay, who ran a tree removal business and started the popular charity “Trees for Tots”, is survived by his wife, three-year-old daughter and two step-children.

He's described as hard worker and caring friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

“There has been a great sadness felt this week by a significant number of people. And today we share a collective sense of loss and bewilderment. We have questions without answers,” said Pastor Bill Johnston.

Jay died on Friday, Feb. 7 while clearing snow in a parking lot near Pearson airport.

His family says he was helping fix another contractor's truck when he suddenly became pinned underneath.

But they add they know very few details about the investigation into Jay’s death.

The Ministry of Labour says the investigation is in the initial phase, and will likely take time.

In the meantime, Jay’s family has set up a trust fund for his daughter Natasha.

Cheques payable to Paula Deter in Trust can be deposited at any TD Bank by using transit number 2508 and account number 6082466.