Gabriola Tragedy-Proceeds to Straw & Doré Families

PLEASE NOTE - ALL PROCEEDS TO THE STRAW & DORÉ FAMILIES (GoFundMe only acknowledges one recipient - but be assured funds will be distributed to BOTH families)

Gabriola Island community is reeling from loss of two beloved locals killed in a recent construction accident.

Friends Marc Doré and Chris Straw were struck and killed by a collapsed cement truck boom on March 16th while working on the retirement home of Chris and his wife Margy Gilmour.  Marc and his wife  Huguette Grenier-Doré owned and operated the esteemed construction company building the new home - the cement company was contracted from the nearby city of Nanaimo.

This sudden and tragic accident leaves behind Chris' wife Margy Gilmour,  son Mathew Straw, daughter Chloe Straw (Jules Molloy) and his grandson - his little shadow - Luca.  Marc leaves behind his life-partner, business-partner, best friend and wife of 37-years Huguette Grenier-Doré.  

Both Marc and Chris were active, dedicated, respected, involved, generous (deep breath), open-hearted, funny, authentic, intelligent, talented, artistic, gracious, witty, humble, handsome (!) extremely kind-hearted, all-round  Gabriola VIPs!  

Chris, a former producer at CBC, pursued his passion for art on Gabriola.  
"Chris was an amazing photographer and artist.  He gave incredible amounts of his time to the Gabriola Arts Council and many other community groups and projects," said Carol Fergusson, Arts Council executive director.

Marc had worked for CBC in Edmonton. 

CBC broadcaster Shelagh Rogers, friends to both, said Chris and Marc were each "extremely kind and generous and both of them were very funny."

"They were both beloved.  They were both really woven into the fabric of Gabriola."

The Dorés have built beautiful homes on Gabriola, she said.

"He (Marc) was exacting and a perfectionist and very proud of the work that he and Huguette did together."

Such a huge loss for the families of these dear men.  They touched the lives of legions of friends from both near and far. 

There's a big hole in Gabriola's heart right now. 


(Compiled in part from various news sources.  All proceeds go directly to the Straw-Gilmour and  Grenier-Doré families for immediate expenses.  Fundraiser created by friend Kathy Ramsey on behalf of the families involved and the entire Gabriola community - for more info or questions please [email redacted])