Jean Verville
Pilot
Story
Jean Verville, of Ottawa, was the son of Gilbert & Marcelle Verville, and the youngest of four siblings. Inspired by his father, who flew small aircraft as a hobby, he developed a love of flying while in his teens, and always dreamed of flying helicopters. After obtaining his flying licenses, Jean moved to British Columbia in the early eighties. For several years, he worked for BC Forest Services where he honed his flying skills. In September 1988, he was hired by Vancouver Island Helicopters, to join other crews fighting forest fires in Washington State. It was on this assignment, during water bucket operations, that Jean and his co-pilot Lincoln McGowan lost their lives on September 9, 1988. Jean was a devoted uncle to Mathieu and Anne and godfather to Anne and is profoundly missed. Verville Lake, located on Vancouver Island, was named in his memory by the BC Forest Service.
