Man who died in Christmas Day ferris wheel accident remembered as driven, loving friend
Posted January 6, 2022 1:28 pm.
Last Updated January 6, 2022 1:37 pm.
A trumpeter played a solemn tune on a snowy Montreal night, as friends and family gathered to remember Riley Valcin, who died following a Christmas Day accident at the ferris wheel at the Old Port.
The 22-year-old Valcin was as a civil engineering student at Polytechnique University.
He is being remembered as a driven, charismatic and loving man who was always ready to help others and lift people’s spirits.
“Growing up, it was Riley that was strong. One day Riley appeared in my life and changed it,” said Roberto Rivera Rubio, Valcin’s best friend.
“Riley was always smaller than me, but he was a giant up here.”
His loved ones say he was gifted with many talents: he was a great basketball player and an even greater person.
“Riley has always been a warrior, until the end,” said Rivera Rubio. “I always admired Riley. He was my best friend but also one of my idols.”
Riley Valcin. (Credit: FACEBOOK/Riley Jonathan Valcin)
Added Sheena Lee, his manager: “I discovered that I really can’t jump high because Riley would always challenge us to touch the ceiling. And I wouldn’t even come close but it was impressive how high this guy could fly.”
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday night near the ferris wheel, the site of the deadly accident.
They lit candles, sang songs, wrote messages, and held a moment of silence in the man’s memory.
“The 25th of December he went to work. We were waiting for him to get home to have supper. His mother prepared his room knowing he would come back – but he didn’t,” Valcin’s father told the gathering.
Valcin’s friends have raised more than $52,000 to help the family.
His family says they were looking forward to him graduating university, but he was taken away too soon.
“What would you like to leave behind – we have all been witness to the impact Riley had in his community and loved ones – what will you leave behind?” said his brother Joey Valcin.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death continues.
