News Article / October 27, 2014
From the Department of National Defence
On October 20, 2014, two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were victims of a hit and run incident in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, a member of the Joint Personnel Support Unit at the Integrated Personnel Support Centre in St-Jean, Quebec, died of his injuries the same day.
A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, he joined the Regular Force in May 1986.
The funeral will be held Saturday, November 1 at 11 a.m. at the Longueuil Cathedral on the corner of Chambly Road and St. Charles Street in Longueuil, Quebec. Media will not be permitted inside the church.
On October 24, 2014, Warrant Officer Vincent’s family shared this statement: “It is with tremendous sadness and great shock that we learned of Patrice’s sudden death. His passing will create a huge void in our hearts. Patrice was very proud to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. He did what he loved and we supported him during the 28 years he served. ”
“Patrice loved life; he was well liked by everyone and he always spoke passionately about his involvement with the Canadian Armed Forces. Serving was his way of making a difference in our world. ”
“To the family and close friends of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, know that we share your pain and we are with you in our hearts.”
“Our thoughts are also with the Couture-Rouleau family during these difficult times.”
Members of the Vincent family hope that the media and the community respect their privacy during this difficult time of grief.
Biography of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent
Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent had been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces since 1986.
Throughout his distinguished career, he served as a firefighter from coast to coast, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Esquimalt, British Columbia, through Valcartier, Quebec; Comox, British Columbia; Trenton, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta; North Bay, Ontario; and Montreal.
He was a member of the Joint Personnel Support Unit at the Integrated Personnel Support Centre in St-Jean, Quebec, and had been working with 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in St. Hubert, Quebec, for about three years.
His colleagues remember him as an upright man – honest, generous, loyal and helpful. He was always the first to arrive and the first to volunteer.
