Sometimes the simplest of questions are the most difficult to answer.
Ask a small child “what is a friend”, and they might point to their mother, or father or perhaps a sibling. Ask an elderly person and they might refer to a caregiver or that neighbour that smiles at them and extends a hand every time they come in contact no matter the circumstances. Regardless of ones’s age, back ground or culture, it seems universal that a friend – a true friend – is the one person who is there for you no matter what.
Sarah Mathieu has such a friend and her name is Josie Pynn.
On April 3rd, 2025 Sarah Mathieu lost her father Artie Fraser in a house fire on Morrison Rd in the Township of Laurentian Valley. At the time of the deadly blaze it was believed that only one fatality had occurred, however, it was soon discovered that there were indeed two. Neither the cause of the fire nor the manner of death have been been released. Even to Sarah.
Sarah needed a friend. Josie was there . Sarah needed someone to get her through the nightmare that had come her way. Josie was there. Sarah needed someone to help her arrange for her father to leave the world with dignity. Josie was there.
Josie describes Artie as a hard working man. Someone who friends and neighbours could always count on when in need of assistance with a task regardless of what the task was. He was a musician who played guitar and accordion and was known to help teach others his love of music. Most of all, to many, Artie was a friend.
Josie continues to be Sarah’s voice as she navigates through her ordeal and has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to help with the funeral costs. I am certain that Sarah never imagined that she would need a friend in this manner.
I challenge you on this Easter weekend when gathering with loved ones to take a moment to reach out to a friend – any friend – simply to say hello. Most would agree that in a world that’s constantly changing, a friend is a steady source of love and understanding—a rare and valuable treasure in life.
If you care to assist please click on the link below.
(Written By: Richard Evans)