The family, friends and community of a Central Butte man, identified as Eric Tourond, who vanished under the waters of Lake Diefenbaker on Canada Day are mourning his sudden loss.
Outlook, Morse and Swift Current RCMP officers attended to the scene at the Palliser Regional Park shoreline on July 1 at approximately 11:00 am, where it was discovered the man had helped children into a boat from out of the water. At that point, Tourond had disappeared under the water.
Searches have been performed on both sides of Lake Diefenbaker on the shoreline by the RCMP, the Ministry of Environment Conservation Officers, Lucky Lake Fire Services and Central Butte EMS, as well as numerous civilian boats.
As well, the RCMP's Underwater Recovery Team began searching for Tourond again on Friday, July 2.
The body of the 36-year old man has not been discovered.
Now, as the small town area is left reeling from the tragedy, two financial campaigns have been initiated as a way to help Tourond's family.
The Town of Central Butte posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, July 8 that a fund has been established at Conexus Credit Union in order to help the man's family and his four children.
The financial donations are being accepted at any Conexus branch, using the title Tourond Family Fund. People can also make an e-transfer to tourondfamilyfund@gmail.com or send cash or cheques to Box 10 or 281 Main Street, Central Butte SK, S0H 0T0.
As well, a GoFundMe fundraising campaign, 'In Memory of Eric Tourond', created on July 7 by Sheila Doyle had amassed quite an impressive total by the time this article went to press, with $9,490 being accumulated, putting it within reach of making its targeted goal of $15,000.
The campaign description sheds light on who Tourond was as a person.
"On July 1, 2021, at 11:00am, we lost Eric Tourond.
Thirty six year old Eric and his family were at Palliser Regional Park on a boat with friends, ready to enjoy Canada Day. The children were in the water playing; Eric jumped in to help his son, Waylon, into the boat. Unfortunately, Eric disappeared under the water and never resurfaced. Eric's wife, Courtney, jumped in for Waylon, got him in the boat, went back in to find Eric. Unfortunately, to date, his body has not been recovered.
Losing Eric is a tragic loss for Courtney, Eric's daughter, Morgan (14), Eric's stepdaughter, Jade (14) and Eric and Courtney's two sons, Dillon (6) and Waylon (4). Their lives in Central Butte have been changed forever.
As a friend of the family, I'm asking you to help Courtney and the children through this difficult time by easing the financial burden. It will take a long time for Courtney to stand on solid ground without Eric by her side.
Please share this story with your family and friends. If you can, please donate any amount. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Thank you from the Tourond and O'Brien families."
To view the campaign and make a donation, you can visit www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-eric-tourand
Many of the people who knew Tourond personally are also visiting a page that's been set up on Facebook to share their memories of him. The 'In Memory of Eric Tourond' page can be found by visiting www.facebook.com/groups/1163246794188073
