Ladies and gentlemen, with a deep heart I will be doing this eulogy. Vincent James Bertrand was born in Yellowknife on September 4th, 1985, to parents Norma Bertrand and Melvin Timbre. When Vince was younger, his dad would make him a toboggan out of cereal boxes and pop cans. Vince would play outside for hours pulling his toboggan with his toys inside of it.
Vincent grew up in Fort Liard and was raised by his grandparents Mary Jane and William Bertrand. His grandfather William gave Vince his traditional name of SehSeh. Vince loved spending his time with his grandparents and traveling with them to Fort Nelson. Vince and Vanessa were inseparable since Vanessa was born.
When Vanessa had her first firefighting training with the hamlet, she broke her foot. Vince did not believe Vanessa until he saw the foot. He drove her to the health centre. Six hours later, Vince showed up at the health centre with a broken foot. He broke his foot by almost falling off the riverbank. Vincent and Vanessa both got medevaced to Yellowknife. Later they both laughed at how they broke their foot on the same day.
Vince worked as a youth coordinator for the hamlet of Fort Liard, and this is where I got to meet him. He loved having movie night at the hall for the children. He volunteered as a firefighter for hamlet and was always available to keep the community safe especially during spring break up. Vince was always participating or volunteering when there was a community event. He made sure to help out whereever he could. Vince worked with his fatherinlaw Ken Bard making deliveries. He enjoyed playing softball with his best friend Arthur Loe and encouraged others to participate. Vincent enjoyed collecting movies, comics, video games, Pokemon cards, and animated cartoons.
Vince was proud of his culture and lived a traditional life. He enjoyed going to hand games, drum dances and drumming. He loved his drum his grandmother Mary Jane got made for him. Vince loved his family, friends, and was always there for them. I can tell you he was always happy and smiling. I don't think I have ever saw him upset.
Vince looked up to his uncle Floyd Bertrand and would phone him or text him whenever he needed advice.
Vince met and fell in love with Kirsten Bard in 2014. Vince lived in Fort Liard while Kirsten lived in Fort Nelson. They kept their relationship strong by always seeing each other and keeping in contact. Vince moved to Fort Nelson to live with Kirsten and proposed to her in 2020 of July, and Kirsten happily accepted.
I can tell you my experience with Vincent was very much how the family talked about him. I can tell you he was always willing to help take youth on sporting trips. Numerous times, I witnessed him using his own vehicle to ensure all youth got a chance to participate in the event. Like the old army saying never leave any man behind, his was always ensure youth get the opportunity to experience travel and participate in sport and recreational activities.
Colleagues, Vincent passed away on November 8, 2023. I can tell you he was loved and will be sadly missed by his fiancee Kirsten, his mother Norma, grandmother Mary Jane, sister Vanessa and Vickie Williams, and numerous friends and family. He will be sadly missed.
