Christopher Wayne Séguin 1977 — 2017

Christopher Wayne Séguin

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher Wayne Séguin on September 22, 2017.  Christopher was born October 20, 1977 in Pinawa, Manitoba.  Christopher is survived by his wife Melissa, sons Logan and Harrison, parents Deb & Joe, sister Jennifer, father Patrick and his wife Shirley, many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Chris spent his early years in Lac du Bonnet Manitoba, where he arrived as the youngest member to a fairly large extended family.  His love for travel began with trips in his rumble seat on the back of his father’s bicycle while visiting with friends and family.  Most of all he loved the farm. This would usually include a tractor ride or a spin on the dirt bike with Uncles Mark or Bruce.

Being of a mining family he moved to BC at an early age and soon became acquainted with many of BC’s mining communities.  He began his pre-schooling in Granisle BC, elementary in Chetwynd, Greenwood and Kamloops to finish up his secondary education as a “Golden K” recipient of Kamloops Senior Secondary.

Christopher was very active in athletics and enjoyed basketball, rugby and football.  His academic standing and football carried him over to Simon Fraser University (SFU) with a scholarship to play for the university’s varsity team, the Clan.  He graduated with a BA (Honours) in linguistics and made the Dean’s list for his work related to the Fijian Culture.

At an early age in life Christopher set his sights on world travel.  While a student at SFU he made several trips to Fiji, with his linguistics professor and students, to document the Fijian language.  He found himself in Prague in following years learning about the Czech language.  Other trips included Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Australia, China, and Central America to name a few.  His travels gave him an appreciation of this world’s cultural diversity, the values of others and the strength gained by embracing the diversity of people.  From this he learned what is truly important in life which was giving back to his community.

Christopher began his career with SFU as cultural liaison in the International Education department.  Over the next twelve years, he established his expertise in a number of development positions at SFU, including statistician, development officer, and account manager.  In July 2007 Christopher made the move back to his home town as Vice-President Advancement at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).  Under his leadership, TRU set new fundraising records virtually every year of the last decade, generating millions of dollars for student awards, groundbreaking research and major buildings, notably the House of Learning, the renovation of Old Main for the Law Faculty, the Trades and Technology building and the soon to be constructed Nursing and Population Health building.

Christopher’s energies and passions went beyond the university with participation and support for the Kamloops community at large.  Maintaining his athletic nature, Christopher completed various triathlons, 5-10 km runs for a cause and awareness, and his first Ironman competition in 2011 while continuing to put his energies into community involvement.  Through his contributions in Rotary, Developing World Connections, TRUly United, the Kamloops Marathon and the North Kamloops Family Dinner, to name a few, he gave back to Kamloops with the many initiatives he championed and internationally with his climb of Kilimanjaro to raise funds for a school project in Sierra Leone for example.  Christopher’s accomplishments as a community change maker were recognized in 2015, when he received the BC Community Achievement award.

Christopher was a very passionate bigger than life guy, a giving man with a huge heart, a wide smile and big laugh.  We choose to remember Christopher for who he was, husband, father, brother, son, champion for causes, a passionate community leader and an accomplished VP of TRU who gave so much so others may succeed.

We welcome you to attend his Celebration of Life which will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Calvary Temple, 1205 Rogers Way, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, honoring Christopher and his memory would be best expressed by donating to a trust fund for his children through any Kamloops CIBC branch.

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20 Tributes

  1. Matt deFouw
    Posted September 28, 2017 at 9:37 pm | Permalink

    Christopher was a friend that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He challenged each of us to be better than we are and to reach for those things we thought were “too hard” or “not realistic”. He made the impossible possible through his strength of focus, determination, and love of others.

    His love and strength moved mountains. He made everything he touched better, and we are all better for his presence in our lives.

    He was the best of all of us.

  2. Cj
    Posted September 29, 2017 at 1:44 pm | Permalink

    Going to miss this kind man

  3. Rocko
    Posted September 29, 2017 at 2:42 pm | Permalink

    RIP SIR you will be missed my condolences to his family and friends

  4. Bev
    Posted September 29, 2017 at 5:59 pm | Permalink

    Melissa
    My heart goes out to you and your family
    If I hadden suddenly become a widow with young boys
    I would never have become a volunteer and donor to the tru foundation and spent an amazing 10 years with Christopher as my volunteer boss!

  5. Judy Ripley
    Posted September 29, 2017 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    I have had only one Godson…that was Christopher, and he was an outstanding individual,son,brother,husband father and man.I am honored to have had him in my life. He was like sunshine coming out on a cloudy day…You couldn’t miss him ! He brought his light with him everywhere,making everything look brighter, and we all felt better!…He is gone but his light still shines through his sons..We all miss him…..

  6. Tarry Grieve
    Posted October 1, 2017 at 7:00 am | Permalink

    Condolences to his family. May memories of his achievements be of some solace. His legacy will ripple through future generations.

  7. Chantelle Olsson
    Posted October 1, 2017 at 1:28 pm | Permalink

    I worked with Christopher when we were both starting our careers in SFU Advancement. He was funny, energetic, filled with life, and creative. At times he was a hand full! So sad to hear of his passing, what a shock, what a loss. My heart is sad, and I’m so very sad for his wife and children. My prayers of comfort to his beautiful young family. What an incredible loss.

  8. Larisa Saunders
    Posted October 3, 2017 at 6:50 am | Permalink

    The linguistics professor noted above is my dad. Like so many others, he had a big soft spot for Chris. They shared a love of travel, language, learning new things, stories and people.
    We travelled and studied together in Fiji with my dad and the rest of our classmates. I think Chris probably loved it wherever he was but he definitely loved Fiji and he made friends quickly with locals there. One particular adventure in Fiji involved creating an earthen cooking pit for our dinner. It’s called a Lovo. This was Chris’s idea. He was determined despite the fact that a storm was brewing and it was very late. Cooking like this takes a long time in order to get the earth hot enough. Let’s say we ended the night with a lot of mud but without the lovo dinner. We had some laughs and a lot of great memories were made.
    Chris seemed to always want to share his love of whatever he was doing and I can see he brought this into his more recent years in Kamloops and with his family. (Our Fiji trip was almost 20 years ago now)
    Melissa – Chris’s love for you and your boys was beautiful to watch in the photos he shared socially. He loved his family – all extensions of it – there is no doubt.
    From my family to yours, we offer our deepest regrets. We will remember Chris for always.

  9. David
    Posted October 9, 2017 at 5:30 pm | Permalink

    I am going to miss this man. I met him through a youth employment employment program and has opened quite a few doors for me , for which i am very grateful for . My condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family .

  10. Ginger Deverell
    Posted October 10, 2017 at 11:53 am | Permalink

    I met Chris in Prague nearly 20 years ago. His enthusiasm and adventurous spirit were contagious and brought so many wonderful memories. Our group of 6 in Prague has been held dear in my heart all these years. And the memories of backpacking around Egypt and sailing down the Nile all came because he was so darn determined to get us out of our comfort zones and travelling! He said it was either Egypt or Greece, but we had to come. Best time of my life. I haven’t seen him in many years but I just knew he was taking on the world with gusto & a big heart. The world will miss you Chris. Sending so much love to Chris’ wife and boys and all his family and friends out there who will feel this loss deeply. xo

  11. Richelle D. Funk
    Posted October 10, 2017 at 4:31 pm | Permalink

    I have worked on and off with Christopher for the last three years. I will not pretend that we were close friends but knew him for his diligent, passionate and thoughtful work on behalf of Thompson Rivers University.

    I would like to commend his family for their graciousness and bravery in coming forward with information about the circumstances of his death. Through these actions, he continues to make a difference in his community and others throughout B.C.

    My deepest sympathies for those that knew and loved him the most.

  12. Jon Grenke
    Posted October 11, 2017 at 1:16 pm | Permalink

    I first met Chris nearly 20 years ago while on the SFU Field School in Prague. We struck up a friendship almost immediately, and stayed in touch for years after that. I’ll always remember Chris for his easy smile and sense of humour. His zest for life made the field school all that much more fun and I will always remember eating Goulash and drinking Budweiser with Chris. His death is a great a loss and my sympathies go out to all his friends and family.

  13. Lola
    Posted October 11, 2017 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    I would like to express my heartfelt sorrow to Joe and Debbie and Jennifer and Chris’s wife Melissa and children Logan and Harrison. I cannot imagine loosing a child/husband/father let alone such a prominent person in our community who has contributed so much. He also accomplished a tremendous amount in his short life. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and has left a great legacy.

  14. Jon Grenke
    Posted October 11, 2017 at 1:29 pm | Permalink

    I first met Chris on the SFU Prague Field School nearly 20 years ago. I’ll always remember his easy smile and sense of humour. We became great friends and I stayed in touch with him for several years after that. He had a zest for life that I envied and an innate curiosity about the places and people around him that made spending time with him a joy. I will always have such great memories of Chris and every time I think of my time Prague I’ll remember Chris with fondness. My heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family.

  15. Erin McNeill
    Posted October 13, 2017 at 1:06 pm | Permalink

    I worked with Chris briefly at SFU. I always thought of him as being the closest I would ever get to Hemingway.

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

  16. Brenda and Ross
    Posted October 13, 2017 at 3:01 pm | Permalink

    We were so blessed to meet Christopher because in meeting him we eventually came to know you and your boys. I pray for peace in your heart because in peace comes healing. You will always be a part of our family, once you’re in our hearts you are there forever God bless you Melissa Logan and Harrison

  17. Peter Falsetta
    Posted October 13, 2017 at 4:45 pm | Permalink

    Joe, Deb and Jennifer
    Melissa, Logan and Harrison

    Joe, thinking of you and your family during this most difficult time. The legacy Christopher leaves for his many contributions and dedication to our community will always be remembered.

    With sincerest sympathy, Peter Falsetta

  18. Jody Oetter
    Posted October 14, 2017 at 6:51 am | Permalink

    I only met Christopher in passing, at one of the many outreach activities he initiated. Even though the encounter was brief, it was impactful. I knew this was a man who led with his heart. He thanked every volunteer, and you just know that he was there longer than anyone else. Our shifts were short. Others show up, put a couple of hours in, feel good, and perhaps do it again next month or next year. For Christopher making life better for others was his vocation. How fortunate his family was to be blessed with such a man. How great your loss I cannot begin to understand. Hold tight to the blessing. My prayer is that will sustain you.

  19. Wayne Norton
    Posted October 14, 2017 at 10:39 am | Permalink

    So fondly remembered by his teachers at Kamloops High School. Sadly missed by all who loved him. And that, I think, is all who knew him.

  20. Rob Kossan
    Posted October 18, 2017 at 7:05 pm | Permalink

    From the entire former A&V Pastry and Schnitzel Haus family, where we hired, Chris, to was dishes for us as a teenager, our sincere condolences and prayers to the entire family.

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