Published in today’s Star Phoenix, Saskatoon

Jordan Chartier. August 12, 1989 to July 30, 2013

The world is a lonelier place today. The colors are muted; there is less shine to the stars, no warmth to the sun. The sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved Jordan has left an entire extended family shattered. At a time when one should be writing a graduation or wedding tribute, his mother Lori, his father Greg, his brother Lucas and his cherished dog Niko are left to mourn his loss and celebrate the gift of his life.

Jordan held himself to such incredibly important values: kindness, honesty, trustworthiness. He had a strong work ethic, strong views on social justice, a commitment to physical health, and he leveraged the Chartier gene for determination (some may say stubbornness) to be successful in everything he tried. Jordan was always a little bit “more”; more intense, more determined, more focused, more caring, more kind. The intensity with which he attacked athletics, academics and every other endeavour he undertook was both a strength and weakness.

Jordan attended Evan Hardy Collegiate and graduated from Grade 12 as one of the top 10 students; qualifying him as a Greystone scholar. He received academic awards for the highest marks in science and in industrial arts and the furniture he built in Woods was of artisan quality. He loved the outdoor club and the annual canoe trip was always eagerly anticipated. He took pride in doing well at school and could not wait to get to University and get started on his dream of becoming a doctor – achieving Dean’s list in his first year. What is even more remarkable is that he achieved this while spending every Saturday morning for 3 years volunteering with the PAALS program on campus and almost daily as a volunteer coach with his beloved Arns Falcons.

Jordan always had your back. In life and in sports, where playing defense always felt like home to him. There wasn’t a sport invented that Jordan didn’t excel at; hockey with the Red Wings, soccer with the Aurora Club, running middle distance for the Saskatoon Track Club, barefoot skiing and wakeboarding at the cabin. He was a proud Kids of Steel and went on to the Saskatchewan Triathlon Association where he won the provincial and interprovincial triathlon in his age category for two years. But football was his true love and passion – and he made lifelong friends during his four years with the Arns Falcons and then the Hardy Souls.

Family was everything to Jordan. Gatherings of the clan at Emma Lake, the annual camping trip to Waskesiu, hot cross buns at Easter, elbowing his way through the packed kitchen at Grandma’s to ensure he got his share of the turkey, enjoying another of Uncle Darren’s gourmet feasts, working in the Greenhouse with Grandpa, proudly doing his shift at the Farmer’s Market. And within minutes of arriving at any family event, Jordan would immediately have little cousins hanging from him like Christmas lights. He absolutely adored Niko the wonder dog and the long rambling walks through Sutherland Beach were a source of comfort and healing for Jordan. Our grand family adventure – six months touring New Zealand and Australia – was a turning point in our life as a family. It cemented the boy’s relationship as brothers and enlarged their view of the world.

We have learned a lot about resilience these past five years; and about hope and despair. We’ve witnessed the terrible toll that stigma can play in a young person’s fight to recover from an illness that robs them of their very essence. We will not let the challenges he faced in the last few years erase all that Jordan was as a person.

Those who knew and loved Jordan are invited to a celebration of his life at 4pm Tuesday August 6th at Holy Family Cathedral. No suits please. Wear your flip flops and shorts, your favorite t-shirt, a jersey from one of his teams.

If you wish to honour Jordan’s memory – a donation to the Kinsmen Football league to purchase equipment that would allow more kids to play, or to any of the agencies committed to supporting those with mental illness would be greatly appreciated.

Eleven years ago I spent a number of weeks with Jordan (white t-shirt) and family touring New Zealand. He loved it. Here we are on a high ropes course.

Even then he was an intense and passionate young man. Very charismatic.

I’m feeling rotten his friends and family left behind.

Rest in Peace.