A Squamish-based logger who died in a workplace accident near Pemberton last week is being remembered as a jovial man who went out of his way to give back to his family, friends and community.

Dwayne Constantin, a logging contractor who was working for Squamish Mills at the time, died on Tuesday (Oct. 16) as a result of injuries he sustained in an accident while logging in the Joffre Creek area north of Pemberton, Squamish Mills officials wrote in a statement emailed to media on Wednesday (Oct. 17).

Constantin, 53, is survived by his wife Anita and sons Craig, Cory and Curtis. His passing has left those who worked with him “deeply saddened and heartbroken,” said the email from John Lowe, Squamish Mills general manager.

“Our employees and contractors are all like family to us,” the statement said.

At least 500 people attended a memorial for Constantin on Sunday (Oct. 21) at the Sea to Sky Hotel, sharing stories and condolences with those who were close with him.

Gary Hendrickson, whose son Grant was close friends with Constantin’s son Craig, said he’ll remember Dwayne for his smile, his community-mindedness and his generosity.

“Everywhere Dwayne went, he always had his boys with him, and Anita was always with him too,” Hendrickson told The Chief. “They were a very close-knit family. They just always wanted to be around other people and they were just so friendly.”

Hendrickson added, “They were very, very, very thoughtful, the whole family, and Dwayne, he was the leader. His boys, they were into football and he was always out there — rain, snow, it didn’t matter. If you needed anything at all, Dwayne was always there. Whatever he had was yours. And his smile was just infectious. No one would ever think of saying anything bad about the guy.”

Ricky Siemens, another family friend who played with the Howe Sound Sounders football team with Constantin’s sons, remembers spending time at the Constantins’ house in the Upper Squamish Valley and always being made to feel welcome.

“What’ll I remember most is definitely his smile, or his laugh — he had a good laugh… just a really genuine laugh,” Siemens said.

“Also, I remember how lucky I was that I met him. All the young guys, he was just such an inspiration to those of us who grew up around him because he emphasized being responsible and respectful to those around you.”

At the memorial, Siemens recounted the time he had obtained his learner’s driving licence and Dwayne let him drive the Constantins’ family van. Dwayne was sitting in the passenger seat with Siemens driving.

“I put it in neutral, and I went to go and the engine revved up and he just looked at me and smiled and said, ‘It’s in neutral,’” Siemens said. “It was brave of him to let me drive his van.”

Dwayne Constantin often showed his generosity to Siemens and his sons’ other friends before, during and after the boys’ football games, Siemens said.

“Every football game, he was there,” he said. “He gave us rides every time—me, Craig, all our friends, all our football gear. Every single football game, win or lose, he’d take us out for food. Me, Jack Billy, Joel Prevost and Craig, he’d give us $50 and say, ‘Go have something to eat.’”

“For B.C. Lions games, if he ever had an extra ticket he would always invite one of us along.”

Constantin had worked with Squamish Mills for more than 22 years and was “a highly respected, valued and integral part of our organization,” Lowe wrote.

The accident occurred on Tuesday at around 11:40 a.m. Other details weren’t immediately available. The company’s statement said Squamish Mills and WorkSafe B.C. were investigating the accident’s cause. Logging operations at Joffre Creek were curtailed until the investigations are complete, the statement said.

To read online condolences for Constantin, please visit www.squamishfuneralchapel.com