'We're going to miss him so much': Children of Rick Bastien remember dad killed in Eastway Tank blast
To his family, Rick Bastien was everything.
"Our dad was amazing, he was the rock of our family, he was so caring and kind," said daughter Tracy Pritchard.
"He would always at the drop of a hat be there for his kids and for his family," said son Josh Bastien, who for a time, worked with his dad at Eastway Tank on Merivale Road.
"I seemed to always kind of gravitate closer to where dad was working so I could learn as much as I could."
Rick Bastien was one of six people killed in an explosion at Eastway Tank on Jan. 13. The cause is under investigation.
"We want closure, we want answers, this shouldn't have happened and we're just devastated," said Pritchard.
"Now there's a catastrophe," said Bastien. "Everyone that died I worked with at that place so it's really hitting me hard."
Josh Bastien, himself a former Eastway Tank employee is among those alleging numerous safety issues at the site including previous fires, improper chemical storage and dumping material by the train tracks.
In a statement, Eastway Tank said the allegations are unfounded.
"We are all mourning the loss of our friends and family, and I share the immense pain, sadness and anger being felt," said Neil Greene, president and owner. "With respect, these allegations are unfounded. Eastway Tank has always worked to maintain the highest safety standards. We are working closely with investigators and are cooperating fully to get to the bottom of what happened."
In a statement, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development says it has completed five field visits to Eastway Tank and issued four orders on June 13, 2017, that included the company repairing the exhaust pipe ventilation system, preparing a written safe working procedure for welding and taking steps to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals. All orders have been complied with, the ministry said.
A number of parallel investigations are ongoing. Ottawa Police said Wednesday remains have been recovered and the process of identifying them, which will take days if not weeks, is underway.
"I have two kids, Liam and Wyatt who he absolutely adored," said Pritchard of her dad.
"He had pictures of them in his toolbox at work and that's literally what got him through his day sometimes," added Josh Bastien.
"He would always have logical advice for me and that got me through and I just can't imagine what it's going to be like now to not have that connection," said Bastien. "I'm lucky I have other family members that are going to be there and step up but nothing is ever going to replace my father."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.