SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU – The Saint-Gerard-Majella church was filled with emotion Saturday morning in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Friends, family and colleagues came together to remember a life taken too soon.
Maxime Trepanier, 27, died trying to help a fellow pilot move her balloon at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival on August 11.
“He was holding onto a cable when the air balloon started to lift and for an unknown reason he did not let go of the cable. So he was up in the air and he fell,” said Joyce Kemp, with Quebec Provincial Police.
The accident came as a shock to many. It is the first death at the festival in its 30 years of existence. Maxime’s family said he was an experienced pilot, despite his young age. His father, Normand Trepanier, is also a seasoned ballooner. He wasn’t surprised to learn that his son was trying to lend a helping hand at the time of the accident.
“That was him, always trying to help people,” said Normand.
The family chose not to speak to media at the funeral. In his eulogy, Maxime’s father remembered his son:
“You were a wonderful son to your mother and I. You were a teammate to your brother Danny, a colleague to your brother Steve. But first and foremost, you were a friend.”
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
- As Canada’s tax deadline nears, what happens if you don’t file your return?
- Video shows Ontario police sharing Trudeau’s location with protester, investigation launched
- Is $10/day child-care at risk of ‘derailment’? Report spurs questions
Ballooning was a hobby not only for Maxime, but for his father as well. Despite his grief, Normand told a friend that he will continue to fly.
“He told me ‘Maxime is there to protect me’,” said Nicole Lamoureux, a family friend.
Over 650 people attended the funeral, including members of the firefighting academy where Maxime was undergoing training. After the ceremony, white balloons were released into the air as a symbolic gesture.
Maxime leaves behind a wife and two young children. For those who were close to him, only time will heal. In the meantime, the family asks people to pray, but not to dwell on the pain – words which comforted many.
A final farewell will take place at the closing of the festival on Sunday night, where Maxime’s balloon, along with those of his father and brother, will be piloted up together.
Comments