The family of Shaun Farrell, one of four soldiers who died in a recent fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, spoke to reporters Thursday, outlining an extraordinary life filled with big dreams that was cut tragically short. Family spokesperson Andre Gobler told the story of a tenacious young man endowed with an iron will. “If there was one thing about Shaun, it was this: tell him he couldn’t do something, and he would prove you wrong,” Gobler told reporters. “Shaun possessed a quiet, bulldog-like tenacity. He refused to let labels define him, and he refused to let anyone else dictate what his future could be.” Born in South Africa, Farrell and his family moved to Canada in 2017. Growing up, he was naturally athletic and fiercely competitive on the rugby pitch and track. The 23-year-old serviceman was remembered as a treasured part of the city’s rugby community, with Prince Albert Rugby describing him as a “valued teammate who was always ready to stand up for those around him.” According to his family, Farrell lived with dyslexia and Asperger’s Syndrome, but overcame them to achieve his dream of serving in uniform. “He started saying when he was probably about five years old, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to be an army man,’” Shaun’s mother, Patricia Farrell, recounted. “People told him he had a lot of challenges that he had to overcome, and it didn’t stop him. He was definitely like an achiever, and he overcame anything that was an obstacle that was put in his way.” Farrell’s attitude toward life could be summed up in three words, according to his family: “comfort kills dreams,” a personal motto which he had tattooed on his side. “I think because he knew it wasn’t always comfortable for him as a person to achieve his dreams,” Patricia said. “He knew that, if he was comfortable, he wasn’t going to achieve that dream.” “So he had to, himself, get out of his comfort zone, struggling with his personal disabilities and that.” Patricia said her family is simply trying to process their loss. “What goes through any parent’s mind when they lose their child, their baby,” she told reporters. “I’m just wondering what my future is going to be like without him in our lives.” Despite the heartbreak of losing her son, Patricia lit up when she spoke of some of her favourite memories, calling Shaun “mischievous.” “My favourite memory of Shaun was back in South Africa when he grabbed a very ugly little gecko lizard, and he knew his mom was terrified of lizards, and I ran and hid in my bedroom and he told me that he threw it away, and when I came out, he threw it on my back, and my bladder couldn’t contain itself,” she laughed. “That’s probably one of my favourite memories of him.” Farrell was one of four service members who died after a fire tore through a training area at the base, located near Wainwright, Alta. on the afternoon of Oct. 17. As of Thursday afternoon, 27 soldiers were still hospitalized, with 13 listed in critical condition. Those figures are down from the 39 people who were hospitalized immediately following the fire, 19 of whom were deemed critical. In the days following the tragedy, the City of Prince Albert has flown its flags at half mast and set up a condolence book at city hall to honour Farrell. Patricia said the family is beyond grateful for the support they have been getting. “We didn’t expect what has happened, there’s so many people that we’re grateful for, but there’s not a person that hasn’t shared their love with us, not just in Prince Albert but all over Canada, fellow soldiers, so many people,” she said. “It’s been amazing. It’s actually quite overwhelming.” According to the Farrells, arrangements are being finalized for a funeral with full military honours. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions can be directed to www.shaunfarrell.ca. However, those wishing to leave floral tributes are asked to bring them to Memorial Square at Prince Albert City Hall on Central Avenue. Fake fundraisers, disinformation Farrell’s family has taken to social media to warn the public of fraudulent fundraisers using his name and photo. One such illegitimate donation page was posted to spotfund.com. “Please do not let anyone exploit your kindness during this difficult time,” Patricia said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Heloise Vermeulen is the only legitimate fundraiser, according to the Farrells. With files from Allison Bamford, Jasmine Pelletier and Caitlin Brezinski
