Suspected homicide being investigated in Port Hardy: RCMP
“He was a very quiet man, very reserved and it’s a total tragedy, it really angered me when I found out that he was killed,” Port Hardy resident Jamie Keamo told CHEK News.
Friends have identified him as Rheal Menard, likely in his 70s although no one could say for sure.
“He was really friendly, he wouldn’t hurt a soul, he was just an all around happy, loving, caring, nice, generous guy,” added Kayla Walkus.
He was living on the streets and in the bush and from all accounts had been here as many as 20 years after coming from Drummondville, Quebec.
The locals affectionately called him Frenchie.
“He would teach me French, I would teach him English. He was a stubborn old man but with a heart of gold, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences I had with him for the world. He was like a dad to me,” said Zachary Thomas.
Menard was a regular at the Salvation Army on Market Street, right down the road from where he was killed.
“When I talked to him yesterday he said there was something wrong, like he didn’t know what it was but he had an awful feeling and so I just said I’d keep him in my prayers and he said of course,” said Francine Walkus.
"I heard his head was beaten in by a rock, I don't know why someone would do that to him" said Harrison Poulton.
More: https://cheknews.ca/...y-rcmp-1217904/