In loving memory of Chase McInnes

The loss of a child is the most devastating experience a parent can face. It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we share the news of our dear friends Chylo and Darryl, and their children Hailey, Chloe and Finn. They have just suffered this ultimate loss, the loss of their son and brother.

Four siblings below:
Four days before his 21st birthday, Chase McInnes lost the battle with addiction on Saturday, July 22 while living in Calgary. Chase was not working or receiving assistance so there is no government assistance to help pay for funeral expenses.

In the last few years this family has dealt with a tremendous amount of loss, other family members that have passed on. Chylo has also spent a great deal of time by her daughter's side in the hospital dealing with health issues and trying as hard as a mother can to deal with her son’s addiction. This has all led to Chylo being in the hospital and suffering health issues as well. As her friends, it seems as though we’ve been constantly thinking, “Haven’t they been through enough”? “How can one person suffer so many things”? ........and now this? There are no words to describe the depth of sorrow and compassion we feel…..

Friends of Chylo have been following the heart wrenching posts, a desperate cry from a mother for her son, feeling helpless to stop the control addiction had over her son’s life. The excerpt below, posted by Chylo on July 7 expresses the deep emotional anguish Chylo has experienced for her son she loves so desperately.


For my Addict Family Member:
I recognize you, even in the darkest room,
where your lies have turned out the lights and consumed the truth.
I see you, underneath elaborate stories you tell,
Even when I question myself,
And ask if I'm capable to help.
I feel you and the energy you put off,
Even the slightest changes to your behaviour or pigment in your face,
When I cope but yet still search for the way,
As I pray for change.
I love you, even when you don't love yourself,
When you continue to lie and don't reach out for help,
When the high helps you touch heaven as you're dragged back into hell.
I hear you, when your soul cries out,
When we meet up for lunch or I see you in town,
I hear you, when darkness surrounds you.
I'm with you, even when I distance myself or back away,
When my emotions overwhelm me and I have no words to say,
I'm with you, even when you don't think I am,
And you perceive my tough love as abandonment,
I pray for you, even when I'm too angry to,
When the tears I've cried mean nothing to you,
I pray for you, even when you don't,
Even when you won't,
I'll never stop praying and I won't lose hope.
I don't judge you, even when I call you out, when I say how I feel out loud,
I don't judge you, because I've been where you've been, and even maybe not in the same sense, I don't judge you.
I don't blame you, I know you're sick, I know the power of the one you're with.
I don't blame you, I know you're not the demon, I see the separation.
And lastly, I'll fight for you, I'll be a hand to help, to help save you from yourself, I'll fight for you because I love you when you don't love yourself, reach out, I'm here to help.
I love you.
Sincerely, the strong but broken family member.

Below are pictures taken a week before Chase passed away:

Chase and Chylo

Chase with his little sister, Finn.

Chylo’s words, “I am so grateful that I was able to see him last week and was able to tell him how much I love him.”

We have created this gofundme account for them to pay for funeral expenses while they deal with this horrific loss.  The family would be most grateful for any donation you can give, any amount donated over and above the funeral expenses will be donated to help youth struggling with addiction.

Please keep Chylo and her family in your thoughts and prayers and if you are able, please join us in helping to support the family financially in their great hour of need.

Daxton & Carol Day on behalf of Chylo