A convoy of trucks drove through Parksville to Coombs on Saturday (Sept. 26) in memory of Chuck Pratt.
The memorial convoy took place while mourners made their way to Pratt’s memorial service in Coombs. The route started in the industrial part of Parksville, and continued along the Island Highway, through French Creek and Coombs. The convoy had been organized by his widow, Heather Pratt, and family. Chuck’s urn and remains were carried in his truck.
According to his daughter, Caroline Pratt, there were more than 20 trucks in the convoy.
“It was both his families: his trucker family and his family,” she said.
That specific route was chosen, she said, as it was the regular trucker’s route.
“He was a hard-working man, that’s for sure. He was a legend.”
READ MORE:Trucker films near-miss on Vancouver Island highway
Chuck had been a truck driver for more than 40 years, working for multiple companies. He passed away on June 18 of this year from a heart attack, and was working for C Force Marine LTD. at the time. The memorial date of Sept. 26 was chosen as it would have been Chuck’s 65th birthday.
Caroline remembers that her father’s job seemingly took him ‘all around the world.’ She recalls when he talked with her mother as he drove through the desert.
When she was younger, between seven and eight years old, Caroline would often accompany him along his B.C. routes.
“We would get to one place at three o’clock in the morning, and have to be up at six. And I would be up with him, in the front, sitting there waiting… All of them were just good memories.”
Caroline feels blessed about being able to share with her father, a week before his passing, that she was expecting her second child.
“That was like the best thing that ever happened. Found out that I was pregnant and that I got to tell my dad. He was pretty excited.”