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The sufferer of a deadly stabbing in McKenzie Towne earlier this week is being remembered as a selfless and caring man who will go away behind a long-lasting impression on the many individuals to whom he’s lent a hand — together with these he helped flee a war-torn Ukraine.
Joel Aaron Clark died Monday morning when he was stabbed within the house he owned on Prestwick Terrace S.E. He was 46.
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Ryan Kinoshita, 29, Clark’s tenant, has been charged with second-degree homicide.
“Investigators imagine the deadly assault was the results of a dispute between the sufferer and the accused,” police stated in a press launch earlier this week.
Derek Henson, a longtime buddy of Clark’s, stated his dying is an “absolute tragedy,” however he believes his buddy can be remembered for the great he imparted to these round him.
“The reminiscence of him and who he was and all the things he did, I believe, goes to be carried ahead in the entire those who he’s helped, influenced and adjusted,” stated Henson, who stated he’s identified Clark for nearly 30 years, assembly as younger adults in Victoria, B.C.
“His legacy isn’t in one thing monetary or something like that, however within the lives that he impacted whereas he was right here with us.”
Henson says Clark had deep ties to Ukraine. He had moved to the nation with the objective of opening a mattress and breakfast and was residing there when the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022.
Within the early days of the battle, Clark opened his condo in Lviv — close to the nation’s western border — to these fleeing the nation on their method to Poland. Posts about Clark’s dying on Fb comprise a handful of feedback from Ukrainians he aided in his time abroad, describing him as an extremely form and compassionate particular person.
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“These messages which might be coming from Ukrainians are fairly telling — that’s the sort of man he was,” stated Henson. “He simply was all the time there for everyone. Needed to assist out as a lot as he may.
“If he noticed a necessity, he would fill that want.”
Henson stated that regardless of not having any youngsters of his personal, Clark was a household man who cared deeply for his brother, sister and mom. He was superb with children and shaped a deep bond together with his niece and nephew.
“He would speak about them loads,” stated Henson. “He’d go go to them earlier than he was residing (in Excessive Stage). It was a giant factor for him.”
Clark had owned the Prestwick house for at the least 15 years, however Henson stated he doesn’t imagine Clark was residing there on the time of his dying. Henson stated since Clark returned from Ukraine, he’d been residing together with his brother in Excessive Stage and would stick with pals or household when he’d go to Calgary.
“If he was there, it definitely wasn’t to trigger a confrontation . . . It wouldn’t have been him being aggressive with an individual,” stated Henson.
Henson stated Clark’s manufacturing job in Excessive Stage was principally a way to an finish — as was his rental revenue — together with his goal being to return to his work abroad.
“Every part that he was doing right here was to get him to have the ability to return to what he was doing in Ukraine,” stated Henson.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
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