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Logger killed on the job identified as 45-year-old Quesnel man

A husband and father of six has been identified as the man who died in a logging accident on Northern Vancouver Island over the weekend.
A5-Dylan Montjoy.jpg
Dylan Montjoy, shown with wife Carmen, died in a logging accident Sunday, April 28, 2019, near the remote village of Holberg, about 50 kilometres west of Port Hardy.

A husband and father of six has been identified as the man who died in a logging accident on Northern Vancouver Island over the weekend.

Dylan Montjoy, a 45-year-old Quesnel man, died Sunday while working near Nahwitti River near the remote village of Holberg, about 50 kilometres west of Port Hardy.

“Everybody loved him,” said his daughter Madison Montjoy, 23.

“He was a very kind, loving man. He had a big personality, was very charismatic with a contagious laugh. He loved spending time with his family. He loved building log homes with his father and his brother.”

Madison Montjoy said it was a “freak accident” that took the life of her father, who had been working for Port McNeill-based Lemare Lake Logging for 10 years and in the woods as a faller since he was 14 years old.

An accomplished carver, Dylan Montjoy also spent time working as a truck driver and a crab fisherman.

“He was just a great father, an amazing husband and really great friend to everyone who knew him,” Madison Montjoy said.

A statement from Brian Butler, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, which represents logging workers, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to Dylan’s wife, Carmen, their children, as well as his extended family, friends and co-workers.”

The owner of the Just Art Gallery in Port McNeill said Montjoy came into the gallery about 10 years ago to sell three carvings. The gallery’s owner, who declined to give his name, said Montjoy was a hard worker.

His bear and beaver totem is still featured on the gallery’s website, for sale for $8,500. The totem, which is described as being more than one metre tall, features a bear, beaver and a raven with three watchmen at the top.

The union said a representative from its emergency-response team will be in contact with the family to offer support. Anyone affected by the death will be able to access help and counselling through the Employee Family Assistance Program, it said.

WorkSafe B.C. and the B.C. Coroners Service are investigating. Neither agency has released details on the cause of death.

The RCMP has completed its review, the union said.

Lemare Lake Logging employs 400 forestry workers and has been operating on northern Vancouver Island and B.C.’s central coast for more than 30 years, according to its website.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 451 Cameron Rd. in Quesnel.

A Dylan Montjoy memorial fund has also been set up at the Integris Credit Union.

kderosa@timescolonist.com

bcleverley@timescolonist.com