Canadian man killed while volunteering as a drone mechanic in Ukrainian army

A Canadian father with no formal ties to Ukraine who left his life and family in B.C. to help the war-torn nation defend against Russia’s illegal invasion was killed in action on the front lines last month.

“I want him to be remembered as a hero,” his mother, Valery Simonds, told Victoria-based Chek News after a memorial prayer service for her 46-year-old son Jessy Noel Bourgeois was held at a church in Nanaimo on Saturday.

Dawn Bourgeois, his stepmother, said a celebration of life will take place when Jessy is repatriated, something they’re still waiting on despite him dying under unknown circumstances in the Donetsk region on Aug. 18 while serving as an aerial drone crew mechanic in Ukraine’s army.

“We’re still waiting to hear back from the embassy to make arrangements and get the information,” Dawn told National Post

The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine in the capital of Kyiv has been temporarily closed to in-person services since November 2024. Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Tsmots recently told Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform that there are currently 25 Canadians and Ukrainian staff there.

National Post has contacted Global Affairs Canada for more information.

Dawn attended Jessy’s service at the St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, where he was a congregant and where he fell in love with the Ukrainian community. She told National Post that being there to grieve with Jessy’s adopted community helped her and his father, James, understand his decision to risk his life in war.

“Going to the church and meeting the pastor and the people that were involved in Jesse’s life, at that point in time, we realized how committed he was to the cause and how he wanted to support them and how much he loved the Ukrainian community and the people.”

A friend introduced him to the church community, she said, and Jessy soon began learning Ukrainian. When he told his language instructor about his desire to fight in Ukraine, she and others in the congregation — some of whom have lost loved ones to the war — warned him of the danger, but were unsuccessful in talking him out of it.

“There was a lot of profound sadness and devastation with the people of the church as well,” she told National Post, her voice breaking. “Yes, they wanted him to support the cause, but I don’t think they were prepared for him to go over and fight the way he did.”

Prior to departing, he had no military or drone experience, she said.

In Ukraine, Dawn said Jessy’s call sign was “Skoden,” Indigenous slang for “let’s go,” a nod to his Metis roots.

Simonds, his mother, was more understanding of the decision, telling Chek before his prayer service that her son “wanted to make a difference.”

“I just look at his picture, and I just see this is what he wanted to do,” she said. “It makes me feel warm.”

Jessy leaves to mourn two children, Maya, 12, and Elliot, 10, with whom his stepmother said he maintained contact while in Ukraine.

The kids’ mom and his ex-wife, Adrianne Cafariello, told Chek they were all “very proud” of him.

“He loved these kids,” Adrianne Cafariello. “He just loved to watch them be the selfless, amazing children that they are, and I want people to remember that yes, he’s a hero for the Ukraine, but he’s also a hero to these children. And that’s the memory that we hold dear in our hearts for him.”

His stepmother said everyone’s focus is now on those kids and “their health and well-being.”

Jessy is predeceased by his brother Jimmy (May 14, 2024).

“Two of my brothers are now at rest. May you both light up the stars together,” his sister, Tanya Larsen, wrote on Facebook, also sharing a photo of Jessy in military fatigues, holding a drone above his head.

The church streamed the prayer service and paid tribute to Jessy on Facebook, calling him “an example of courage, solidarity, and humanity.”

“His sacrifice is a testament to the fact that freedom, dignity, and humanity know no borders,” they wrote.

“Jessy was remembered not only for his service in Ukraine but for his meaningful presence within the parish community, his participation in Ukrainian language classes, his genuine love for Ukrainian culture, his willingness to help, and his kindness toward children,” added the Association of Ukrainian Canadian Veterans.

Global Affairs Canada told National Post in February that while it does not track the number of Canadians who travel to Ukraine to fight or those killed in combat, it was aware of 27 Canadian citizens who have died in Ukraine from all causes since the war started. Jessy’s death would bring that to 28.