'Brought a lot of joy to a lot of people': Friends and family mourn deaths of storm victims
The devastating storm that ripped through parts of Ontario and Quebec had a deadly impact, claiming the lives of more than 10 people, several of which were from the Ottawa region.
"I can see him walking into a room now with a smile and open arms, he really brought a lot of joy to a lot of people," said Steve Hamre, remembering his long-time friend Robert Hayami, who was killed in the storm.
"It feels like a nightmare," he said.
"It was always easy to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey Rob, let's meet here,' and he'd be there. Unfortunately, we can't do that."
The 49-year-old Ottawa man died in hospital Wednesday after being struck by a tree while golfing with his son during the May 21 storm.
"They saw the storm coming from what I hear, they got in their carts and headed towards the clubhouse and a tree hit Rob and the golf cart. Unfortunately, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Hamre.
Hamre and Hayami had been friends since Grade 1. Hayami loved hockey and golf, but most of all had a passion for music.
"He had a musical ear like nobody else. If I ever needed to know how to play a song I could call him up, play the song for him on the phone and he'd be right back to me with the cords," said Hamre.
Hyami leaves behind his wife Kristine, son Owen, his parents and a large extended family.
More than 10 people died across Ontario and Quebec as a result of the storm.
Dunrobin's Chad Convery was killed after being hit by a tree at a cottage in Calabogie, Ont.
"Chad's presence lit up so many people's lives, he was such a funny, kind, caring person. We all will carry him close to our hearts forever," said Convery's niece Leighanna on a GoFundMe page created to support the family.
The 44-year-old leaves behind his partner Rhonda and two young girls Jovie and Brynn.
Others from the Ottawa region were also killed in the storm, including someone at the Canadian Golf and Country Club in the west end, and a woman whose boat capsized on the Ottawa River.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Getting the lowest mortgage rates in a high interest rate world
The challenges facing home buyers mean it's all the more important to do research and negotiate on rates, mortgage experts say, though they also caution that there's more to focus on than just what looks like the cheapest upfront option.