The community of Richer is mourning the sudden death of a firefighter, volunteer, municipal councillor and friend. 

Brent Wery died Sunday evening when his vehicle collided with a train. He was 42. Police say that icy conditions are believed to be a factor in the crash. 

The entire community is feeling a tremendous loss, says Reeve Richard Pelletier. 

“He was really involved with anything that would make the R.M. of Ste. Anne fun to live in,” he adds. 

Pelletier says Wery had become known as a person who cared, who wanted to help, and would listen to concerns and ideas. 

“Anybody who had a question or a concern, they called Brent,” he says. 

Wery knew how to rally the troops for any project that he believed in. 

“Whatever he went after, he did a good job,” Pelletier says. 

Wery grew up in Richer and joined the volunteering community early on. He was passionate about giving back, and he did that in many ways, such as serving on various community boards, hockey, the Richer Community Club, and as captain with the Richer Fire Department. 

Pelletier says that Wery had so much passion, conviction and determination to nurture growth and development in Richer and throughout the municipality. 

Wery’s enthusiasm was contagious, and his personality drew people to him. 

“He’s definitely one of the reasons I wanted to be part of the team at the last election,” Pelletier says. 

Wery was into his second term on council for the R.M. of Ste. Anne, representing Ward 3. 

His death is a big loss for many people, says Pelletier. 

“Everybody knows him, it’s as simple as that. He has a good family, friends... a lot of friends. And everybody wanted to be his friend because he was passionate, he would listen to people, and he wanted to make sure that any good idea and any concern would be well responded to.” 

Pelletier says there is a tremendous amount of grief as the community processes Wery’s death, finding ways to comfort each other. 

Time will come for a by-election to fill the Ward 3 councillor seat. Pelletier says Wery left big shoes to fill, and he is hopeful that someone will step forward and bring the same dedication to the council and the residents. 

But for right now, the municipality will take time to mourn and to honour a man who touched so many lives in countless ways.