Family members are mourning the loss of a son, brother and friend.
“This is a card we gave him last week when he turned 24, he’s our Canada Day baby,” Pat Andersen said as she looked fondly at her son’s birthday card and photo collection, holding on to the memories , as I continue to mourn this profound loss.
“It just doesn’t seem real,” he said.
Chad Andersen died at a hospital Thursday after his motorcycle collided with a truck at the intersection of Tenth Line and Wall roads. A monument with flowers and bottles of his favorite drinks has been placed in his honor at the same intersection.
“I get recycling on that stretch of road,” said older brother Adam Andersen. He was working nearby at the time of the crash. “I heard on the radio that there was a motorcycle accident at Tenth Line and Wall Road. I didn’t think of that, oh no way it’s Chad.
But when he heard that the motorcyclist had died, that’s when he hit him.
“I stopped the truck, immediately called my brother and his cell phone rang four times,” he said.
Adam says his brother was known for living in the fast lane, but he also made time for his friends and loved ones.
“He would go out of his way to give you a smile, give you a big bear hug,” he said.
After the news of Chad’s death, the Andersens received numerous messages from those who knew him, confirming what the family already knew.
“He was so full of life, he had a heart of gold and he put everyone before himself,” his brother said.
“He was my baby and I will miss him all the time,” Pat said.
Chad was a big fan of country music, Luke Bryan being among his favorites. The country singer is at the Ottawa Bluesfest and the family says they will attend his concert Thursday in his honor.
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