A family friend has begun an online fundraising campaign on behalf of the family of a 62-year-old Saanich computer technician who hasn’t been seen since April 16.
Shawnigan RCMP began investigating the case after Ben Fournier’s 2004 brown-and-gold Ford Taurus was located in a parking lot in the Mill Bay area.
Surveillance video from April 16 shows Fournier walking south in the 2700-block of Mill Bay Road between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
Fournier was reported missing to Saanich police on April 22.
Measha Gallagher said in a GoFundMe post that Fournier had gone to his weekly Sunday brunch with friends on April 16.
Gallagher said he has a contagious laugh and a smile “that lights up the room.”
“Ben has always been everyone’s go-to person and known as the guy who would give anyone in need the shirt off his back,” she said.
Fournier comes from a large family with several siblings and has many nieces and nephews, said Gallagher, adding it’s unlike him to be out of contact for more than a few days.
She said police and Cowichan Search and Rescue are both involved in the case.
In the meantime, Gallagher said, Fournier’s family is “trying to ensure the rent at his house is paid, cover the impound fees of his car and keep his life rolling while the investigation continues on.”
“Unfortunately, due to the nature and logistics of when people go missing, there aren’t any supports in place to help families move through this hard time.”
She said one of Fournier’s nieces has been off work since April 16 so she can help with the search.
Gallagher urged people to spread the word about the search. “The more eyes we have out there, the better.”
Fournier is described as six-foot-one and 196 pounds with a medium build and grey hair.
Police had no updates on the case on Monday.
The GoFundMe campaign had raised close to $2,000 of its $6,000 goal by Monday afternoon.
Call Shawnigan Lake RCMP with any information at 250-743-5514.
