Jonathan Pitre’s mother determined to carry on son’s legacy
Posted Apr 19, 2018 03:51:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The mother of Jonathan Pitre doesn't want flowers sent to her home in the wake of her 17-year-old son's death. Tina Boileau suggested that anyone wanting to do something to honour him should make a donation to Debra Canada.
“That can actually make a big difference in somebody's life,” she told Mark Sutcliffe on Ottawa Today. “I just want people to take that into consideration, you know, how Jonathan actually made a big difference in their lives and stuff, well there are other kids like him and we can't forget them.”
Boileau said she is more determined than ever to raise awareness for the disease which tormented Pitre and cut his life short.
“He was on a mission to raise awareness for EB and to try to make a difference in the world, and I think he managed to do that,” she explained. “You know, his quote of saying about the wave, hoping that it would be big enough for when he left, that it would be big enough for it to go on. I mean, he's not here but I'll try my best to make him proud and carry on his legacy.”
She said the last couple of weeks have been very difficult for her, but the support from the community has been amazing.
However, the only thing Boileau added that brings her true comfort is knowing that Pitre is no longer suffering.
“If I look at the big picture, the night he passed away was the first time I saw him in peace in almost 18 years,” she said. “I mean I think we all need something to focus on, you know, the positive, because everything else is just unfair.”
Boileau made the drive back to the capital region, from the Minnesota hospital where Pitre passed away, by herself in order to get some alone time following his sudden death.
She described the last couple days of Pitre's life saying, “Things progressed and went sideways pretty quickly.”
Pitre had been admitted to the hospital early this month, like so many times before, and expected to be released within 48 hours, but didn't make it.
Boileau expects to represent Debra Canada at Ottawa Race Weekend, May 26 and 27.
Listen to the full conversation with Tina Boileau:
