True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: February 2013
Reg. #45032, Constable Gregory Joshua Pichler
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
In everyday Canadian life news reports about the RCMP can be awful. Listeners could easily get the impression that the press took boxing lessons at a bully school. Whatever the press say, oftentimes the RCMP gets bopped, bashed and battered about like a damp towel hung on the ropes. To read newspapers or to listen to TV is enough to give Detachment Commanders and the Commissioner heart palpitations and a headache. It's no wonder the sale of Tums is over the top. For sure, sensationalism sells.
In truth, however, all news is not bad. Canadians recognize that the vast percentage of RCMP members are excellent people diligently doing their job every day. And to this precise point, the press, especially journalist Frank Peebles, wrote recently that the RCMP had lost one of their very best constables to cancer -- his name was Gregory Joshua Pichler. His death was unexpected.
Journalists could find no fault with Gregory Pichler -- it was agreed unanimously that his heart was wider than a newspaper spread fully open. In his newspaper column, Frank Peebles was highly complementary. Peebles said, 'The man who died on the slopes of Powder King this weekend [January 13, 2013] was a current member of the RCMP, and a long-time community activist.'
It is very worthwhile to read Peeble's full story about Constable Pichler since Peeble illustrates admirable research and one can refer to the story again and again to gain a good insight into the life of Constable Pichler.
Other people, friends and colleagues also had alot of kind stories to tell about Gregory Pichler. Without any doubt, everyone was impressed about the inner strength which he exhibited towards worthwhile causes. Quite simply, worthwhile causes were his life. That's just the man he was.
Constable Gregory Pichler joined the Force on December 11, 1995. After graduation from 'Depot', Gregory was posted to 'E' Division and he served at Prince George, Alexis Creek, They Key (a small BC community at the northern tip of Williston Lake) and Fort St. James Detachments.
Almost immediately Constable Pichler recognized the importance of personal commitment and involvement and he gained the trust of those within the community. Journalist Peeble quotes one of Gregory's colleagues, Constable Leslie Smith, who said, 'he [Gregory] maintained relationships in all those communities and was a valued member of the region's police force because of his ability to earn respect and return it to others.'
Included also in author Peeble's column is a story about Greg by a long-time friend Erin Reynolds of the Canadian Cancer Society. Ms Reynolds '...confirmed that Pichler was an avid lover of snowboarding, skiing and cycling. It was the latter passion that drew him to the RCMP's Cops For Cancer Tour de North event each year'. She [Ms Reynolds] said he was more than a rider, he also did duty on the support crew, and was part of the organizing committee.
"I have experienced cancer through the eyes of my mother, friends, children of friends and even through my pets," said Pichler in a recent Cops For Cancer statement. "I am participating in the Tour de North to bring a bigger awareness about cancer. If everybody does just a little bit, I believe that we will be able to beat cancer. (Quoted from Frank Peeble's article)
"That personal investment in something he cared about was Pichler's hallmark, Reynolds said. "He put his heart and soul into Cops For Cancer," she explained, while fighting the emotions of her own grief. "He always had a positive attitude. He brought passion to the table, he brought passion to the road, he brought passion to the ski slopes, he lived his whole life with passion. He tried always to put smiles on faces, he had a great sense of humour. He put a lot of effort into caring for people and remembering the small things. There should be more people like him in the world, if you ask me." (Quoted from Frank Peeble's article)
Good friends also cared deeply for Gregory and his death was totally unforeseen. One such friend, Wendy told me that, 'He was also a Certified Board and a Ski Instructor. He had taken courses in Snowmobiling, Avalanche Recovery, and I believe in Search and Rescue. He died with one heart artery 100% obstructed and another artery 80% obstructed. Actually, he had heart disease and his doctor was treating him to prevent an attack not realizing that his arteries were nearly all blocked.
He was great at being the superhero and horrid at being a patient as I'm sure a few members are. No matter what, community and serving those around him were his greatest pride, he was respected by all except a few worse case individuals and a great role model to everyone. Of course there were a few new recruits in his care that were taught a few unconventional methods that may or may not have been frowned upon during those years. He could be a character but never caused any harm.'
Gregory Pichler gave new definition to the term adventurer. He will be remembered as a deeply caring person who was not afraid to sometimes go against the grain so that worthwhile causes could be accomplished for the betterment of many other people in need.
'The cause of Pichler's death is not yet known. According to BC Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McLintock, "As he was skiing towards the top of the mountain, he complained of feeling unwell, and then others witnessed him collapse. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, Mr. Pichler was confirmed deceased at the scene of the incident.'(Quoted from Frank Peeble's article)
'Gregory Joshua Pichler, 52, was also passionate about his two sons and a large group of friends. A memorial service is being planned, according to family sources, but it will be "a simple gathering involving family and friends celebrating his life.'(Quoted from Frank Peeble's article)
A friend, Wendy said, "Gregory was cremated and his ashes were scattered on the mountain at Powder King Ski Resort, 195 km north of Prince George, BC."
Gregory Pichler will be missed for a long time.
RIP
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
February 23, 2013
Link: http://legacy.princegeorgecitizen.com/obituaries/princegeorgecitizen/obituary.aspx?pid=162418538
Source & Appreciation
January 16, 2013.
Mountie, activist mourned
By Frank Peebles Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca
