Ben Touesnard-Deschênes was unique in the best possible ways, says close family friend Annie Cormier.
Touesnard-Deschênes, 21, died hiking Crooked Falls in the Squamish Valley on July 31.
Cormier knew Touesnard-Deschênes through her little brothers, whom he grew up with in New Brunswick.
As a little kid, he was “super happy” and creative, “super comfortable in his skin, and got along with everyone,” Cormier said.
“He loved people. Love socializing. I just remember my little brothers and Ben running around our family cottage in the summer, and they were filming a movie together, dressed up, and they were just so innocent and pure and [he was] such a kind, kind soul.”
Cormier also shared a description of him that his mother has posted.
“His passion for nature was equalled only by his drive to explore it. He was always at his happiest when he was challenging himself. Above all, Ben was kind, caring and compassionate. His mind was beautiful. He was always learning. Always reading. Always digging for answers. To Ben, the word ‘why’ only opened the door for him to look deeper. We will all miss that.”
Touesnard-Deschênes came to B.C. to tree plant.
“He came out a little while ago just to try something new, see different parts of Canada, and meet new people. And he loved it. He absolutely loved it. Loved the people that he met there,” Cormier said, adding that he became more outdoorsy here, hiking and canoeing.
Cormier has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help his family with the many costs associated with his sudden death.
She said that his mom, Krista Lea Touesnard, is a musician and music teacher who is greatly involved with her community of Fredericton’s arts scene, always stepping up to spearhead fundraising drives.
“She's always putting herself up first to help raise funds. So when I heard about this, I was like, well, I need to reciprocate,” Cormier said.
“My mother just passed away from ALS this February, and Krista, for the last four years, has helped raise money for the ALS Society. She was always, always there. So I’m doing this.”
The funds raised will help his parents with travelling to Squamish to recover Touesnard-Deschênes and bring him home, as well as other significant costs associated with the loss.
“I just want them to have a little bit of a cushion afterwards,” Cormier said.
There is a celebration of life for Touesnard-Deschênes this upcoming Saturday.
Reflecting on his too short but full life, Cormier said she doesn’t think he would change any of the decisions he had made along the way.
“Obviously, he was a free spirit, and he was such a great kid, and I don't think that he would want to change anything, because he got to live that little part of his freedom out in B.C. ... He would just want us to continue celebrating life and all the beauty that it has.”
