Monthly Archives: February 2019

Davidson, Kenaston

Names sought for Saskatchewan MADD memorial

KENASTON—Names are being sought to include on the Saskatchewan Memorial Monument for victims of impaired driving.

The monument will be located at Saskatoon City Hall and is a project spearheaded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada and the Kerpan and Van de Vorst families. Kenaston’s Allan and Melanie Kerpan and Lou and Linda Van de Vorst have been working with MADD to get a memorial monument in Saskatchewan that honours the victims of impaired driving.

In October 2014 Allan and Melanie’s daughter Danille was driving on Highway 11 at Bladworth when she was killed by an impaired driver.

Lou and Linda’s son Jordan, 35, his wife Chanda, 33, and their two children, Kamryn, five and two-year-old Miguire, were killed when their vehicle was struck and killed by a drunk driver in January 2016.

The Kerpans and the Van der Vorsts have since become advocates for efforts to reduce impaired driving and have used their tragic circumstances to raise awareness of the impact of impaired driving.

The monument in Saskatoon joins a countrywide campaign, paid for by MADD Canada to bring monuments to Canadian province.

Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba already have memorials.

Allan Kerpan said anyone who has lost someone as a result of impaired driving is encouraged to have his or her name on the monument.

“It doesn’t matter when it happened. It could be 20, 10, one year or even 50 years ago. Time doesn’t matter,” he said.

What does matter, he said is that people know the monument is coming and that people know they have an opportunity to recognize their loved ones.

He said the City of Saskatoon was excellent to work with and offered them a site for the memorial on the north side of City Hall in downtown Saskatoon.

He is pleased with the location.

He said the other MADD memorial monuments in Canada are typically set up in cemeteries.

“We did not want ours in a cemetery,” he said due to the fact they already have memorials to their loved ones in cemeteries.

They wanted the monument in a visible, public place so that it is accessible to people. They want people to see it and to read it so they are aware of the impact of drinking and driving.

The memorial monument will be unveiled at a special ceremony on May 25, 2019. People have until May 5 to submit names.

The monument is made out of metal in a semi-circular shape. Kerpan said it shows arms outstretched. At its centre is a design similar to a small sundial to show the passage of time.

“It’s going to be a showpiece for Canada,” Kerpan said.

The names will be inscribed on the metal. Each year a memorial service will be held at the monument to honour the victims of impaired driving. Names will be added as needed each year.

“Hopefully not too many more,” Kerpan said.

If people wish to submit a name to be included on the memorial, they should contact Gillian Phillips, MADD Canada, victim services manager, 1-866-461-4077 or Allan and Melanie Kerpan at 306-252-2226.

Davidson, Obituary

Camber, Fred

In Loving Memory of Fred Camber, age 61, from Gravelbourg Sask. , previously  from Davidson Sask., who passed away peacefully on January 16, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Hospital/Foyer d’Youville in Gravelbourg, Sask.  

Fred was born on December 11th, 1957, in Davidson to Ted and Betty Camber.  Brother of Ed (deceased), and Arthur Camber families of Davidson.
Fred grew up on the family farm near Davidson, the youngest of three boys. He loved the farm, especially all the animals the family kept. Another of his favorite things was country and western music. He could often be found with headphones on listening away tapping his feet. Fred took his education in Davidson. He then went on to work at Interlake Human resources, which kept him busy with friends cutting lawns and doing odd clean up jobs around Davidson. Interlake later went on to become Sarcan, where Fred also spent time helping out in various tasks.

Fred then left Davidson for the next part of his life adventure. Captain Freddy, as he was known to many, moved with the Leclaire family from Davidson to Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan in 1994 and was in the care of Louis and Suzanne Leclaire and family for over 25 years, and was in the care of the Gravelbourg Group home and the Foyer staff for the past four years.

Fred was a living angel who brightened up every soul that met him with his charm towards all the ladies and superb dancing skills. He had an amazing mind keeping all his hockey players stats in order, favourite celebrities happenings, and he never forgot a birth date.  Fred spent most days with his pals at the local special needs program where he worked daily, working hard finding people to do his work for him, and loved hanging with the staff and his best friends. If he was not with his pals you could always find Freddy sitting with his headphones on listening to tunes, reading magazines, and making notes on his favorite country stars. After work every day faithfully he would make sure to go check on his adopted Grandma Elise Bourgeois. He would get her mail and help with errands, making sure not to miss the Blue Jays game and his first supper of the evening.

Fred was a passionate man for everything he loved.  On his wall hung many medals that he received with Special Olympics throughout the years that he was very proud of and always surrounded himself with photos of friends and family.

Fred will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  He is the sunshine that brightens the world. He touched every person who met him and he is an example to all. He loved unconditionally, and only knew kindness, compassion and love.  He will be greatly missed.

A service for Fred will be held in Davidson Sask. at a later date. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.