Obituary published in Amherst, N.S., describes family of six who died in trailer fire
The obituary of a Nova Scotia family who died in a fire in a travel trailer a week ago is providing further details about the mother, father and four young children.
The information published by a funeral home in Amherst, N.S., says funeral arrangements are underway for Robert Jorge (R.J.) Sears, 30; Michelle Elaine Robertson, 28, and their children -- 11-year-old Madison Anne-Marie Sears, eight-year-old Robert (Ryder) Sears, four-year-old Jaxson Robertson and three-year-old Collin Justin (C.J.) Sears.
The Office of the Fire Marshal issued a release on Friday indicating the fire on Sept. 12 in remote Millvale, N.S., was small but smouldered and created smoke and fumes that led to the death of all six in the Passport Ultra Lite trailer.
Robert (Tony) Sears, R.J.'s father, said in an interview Saturday a private service will be arranged based on public health rules for COVID-19, with options still being considered for the best time and place to allow family and friends to attend.
He said the family has been grateful for the outpouring of support, which has included donations to help cover funeral costs and other expenses and has come from their home community of Amherst and across Canada.
Robert Jorge Sears, who goes by R.J., is described in the obituary as the loving companion of Michelle; father of Madison, Ryder and C.J., and stepfather to Jaxson.
"He was a hard worker who loved hunting, especially at his grandfather's camp, fishing and enjoyed sports. Above all, he was a dedicated father who always made the children his top priority," it said.
The obituary says Robertson was a graduate of the nursing program at the Nova Scotia Community College and had recently started working at Gables Lodge.
"She knew what it meant to be a friend and was loved by all. However, the role she excelled at was being a mother and she adored her children," it adds.
The obituary notes the nicknames of each child, describing the oldest girl as "Chatty Maddy," a Grade 6 student who enjoyed animals, drawing, sports and beanies.
It describes "Spider Ryder" as a Grade 3 student at Cumberland North Academy, who was "a little shy," but was constantly active and doing cartwheels.
The second youngest, "Action Jaxson," is described as being excited to be entering pre-primary school and "wise for someone his age," who could often be found dancing to his favourite tunes and playing with his motorbikes.
The obituary says three-year-old C.J. may have been the smallest, but he already was attempting to be a "big boy". "He looked up to, tried his best to keep up with, and would often be his big brothers' shadow," it says.
The family will be buried together in the Amherst Cemetery.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into a 'grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.