Sault woman grieves loss of husband in Resolute crash

Last Thursday Pierrette Perreault-Reid and her husband Randy Reid followed a familiar routine they had repeated many times before.

After the exchange of goodbyes and loving embraces at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, Randy boarded a plane to begin the long journey to a job far from here.

And Pierrette drove back to her home on Albert Street West.

But on this occasion, Randy [shown] never reached his destination. He was among 12 people who died when First Air Flight 6560 crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut on Saturday.

Appealing employment opportunities had attracted Randy to the Far North.

“He was a lead cook at Resolute’s South Camp Inn,” Pierrette said. “He had been working there for 13 years. He told me his boss in Resolute was good to him and the pay was good, and that you cannot find those things in the Sault.

“Every four months he would have an extended break. He had been back in the Sault for three weeks before going back this time.”

The couple, who had been married for 20 years, always made the most of his brief returns.

“We just made sure we were together whenever he was home,” Pierrette continued. “We’d watch a lot of TV and just enjoyed doing things together.”

A native of Barbados, Randy - who would have turned 57 next month - was an easy and enjoyable person to be around.

“He was very laid-back,” Pierrette said. “He took everything as it came. He’d give the shirt off his back to just about anyone. He was always ready to help others.”

Pierrette learned of the crash when Randy’s mother, Lorraine, called from New York on Saturday after seeing a television report describing the tragedy.

Another call followed from Randy’s boss, Aziz Kheraf, who lost a young granddaughter in the crash.

First Air also made contact quickly, offering to arrange support and respond to any questions.

The carrier will be flying Randy’s remains to the Sault and a funeral will be arranged with the Arthur Funeral Home.

The couple had four children between them through previous marriages.

They also had six grandchildren.

As Pierrette grieves her loss, she appreciates the support and comfort provided by many friends and family members.

One voice-mail message left on her telephone will never be erased.

Randy had tried to reach his wife on Friday night.

“It was his last call and probably made from Yellowknife,” Pierrette said quietly.