A 15-year-old Saanich boy was killed in a snowboarding accident on Mount Washington Dec. 22.
Reid Kyfiuk was a Grade 10 student at Claremont secondary school. He was snowboarding alone on a designated blue run, when he separated from a family member, said Mount Washington’s director of business operations Don Sharpe.
“Reid was an amazing influence,” said his older brother Dean on Facebook. “He was a friend and inspiration to thousands of people whom he touched. He was the best little brother anyone could ever hope for. He lived such a full, fantastic life, and it has been my privilege to be a part of it.”
The Kyfiuk family is a part of the local Catholic community and Dean asked friends to honour Reid by repeating the divine mercy chaplet in his memory, whether they are religious or not.
“Reid was and is full of faith and love, and whether or not you are a believer, my family would be grateful…” Dean said.
Comox Valley Search and Rescue was initially dispatched shortly after Reid failed to show up for a 4 p.m. meeting with family. His body was found at about 11 p.m. Sharpe and the B.C. Coroners Service said Reid was not out-of-bounds.
“He was found in a fairly open area, between the Retirement ski run and Linton’s Loop,” Sharpe said. “The conditions surrounding his death are still uncertain.”
“This is a very sad tragedy,” said resort general manager Peter Gibson. “Everyone here at the resort sends our sincerest condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I would like to thank our dedicated staff and the exemplary search and rescue team for their assistance.”
Saanich Braves Minor Hockey set up a memorial table to honour Reid at Pearkes arena with a book of condolence available for friends to leave a message in. HIs midget C5 team played a memorial ball hockey game in his honour.