Bring Ben Home
Donation protected
Our family’s beloved Benjamin Ricard was declared missing after leaving his workplace on January 18th in Nanaimo, British Columbia. After much support and searching from Ben’s family, community, and the RCMP Ben was tragically found deceased through the night on January 20th. This was his family’s worst fear and they are utterly heartbroken. An investigation is ongoing into cause and the family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to all who poured energy into the initial search for Ben. Unfortunately Ben’s family does not live close to Nanaimo, they are situated in Kenora, Ontario and the grief associated with his loss is accompanied by the overwhelming costs of transportation and financial burden of bringing Ben home.
Ben was an intelligent, kind, sensitive and loving son, brother, and uncle. He was taken too soon from his family at the age of 32. Ben was loved and appreciated greatly by his coworkers at Costco in Nanaimo, his last seen whereabouts. He was also a member of the LGBT2Q+ community and a Métis Citizen.
Funds donated will assist his parents, Tom and Cheryl Ricard, who are currently helping to raise three grandchildren who live with them. They require help with funeral arrangements and necessary family bereavement, as well as ongoing costs that will inevitably come up as the investigation continues.
On behalf of Ben’s family, Tom, Cheryl, sister Rhianna, brother Joshua and all his sweet nieces and nephews we appreciate any financial support you can give during this time. It would mean the world to our family to be able to bring Ben home so we can honour his bright spirit together and heal from this great loss.
*This Gofund me was created by Tom’s younger sister Suzanne, all funds will be allocated to Ben Ricard’s family*
Ben was an intelligent, kind, sensitive and loving son, brother, and uncle. He was taken too soon from his family at the age of 32. Ben was loved and appreciated greatly by his coworkers at Costco in Nanaimo, his last seen whereabouts. He was also a member of the LGBT2Q+ community and a Métis Citizen.
Funds donated will assist his parents, Tom and Cheryl Ricard, who are currently helping to raise three grandchildren who live with them. They require help with funeral arrangements and necessary family bereavement, as well as ongoing costs that will inevitably come up as the investigation continues.
On behalf of Ben’s family, Tom, Cheryl, sister Rhianna, brother Joshua and all his sweet nieces and nephews we appreciate any financial support you can give during this time. It would mean the world to our family to be able to bring Ben home so we can honour his bright spirit together and heal from this great loss.
*This Gofund me was created by Tom’s younger sister Suzanne, all funds will be allocated to Ben Ricard’s family*
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For Ben’s community who may be struggling with the grief associated with his passing below are some helplines we encourage you to access if you need support:
Vancouver Island Crisis Line 24/7 support - 1-888-494-3888
Crisis Centre BC 24/7 mental health support - 1-800-784-2433
Kenora Crisis Response Services - 1-866-888-8988
Métis Nation of Ontario 24/7 mental health crisis line for Ontario Métis - 1-877-767-7572
The Trevor Project (24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+) - 1-866-488-7386
Organizer and beneficiary
Suzanne McGrath
Organizer
Waterdown, ON
Tom Ricard
Beneficiary