Vegreville mourns local man killed in B.C. avalanche

When the alarm would ringat theVegrevilleAllianceChurch, it wasVincentLoewenwho responded.

"You just had confidence in him as a leader," said Loewen's pastor and long-time friend,DarrylCrocker.

"You just knew you could turn it over to him and follow his lead in whatever the situation was.

"When he spoke you listened."

Loewen was killed on Friday inan avalanche that occurred just east of McBride, B.C., and on Sunday,during a church service, the congregation took time to mourn the 52-year-old.

• Alberta snowmobilers mourn 5 men killed in B.C. avalanche
• Condolences pour in for those killed in McBride avalanche
• Avalanche near McBride kills 5 snowmobilers, say RCMP

Crocker describedLoewenas a very committed Christian, one who was very active in the community.

He ranLoewenand Associates, a chartered accounting firm, which he built from the ground up.

Crocker saidLoewenwas a passionate family man who raised two kids with his wife,Janice. He remembers Loewensmiling as he openlywelcomed people to the church.

"That's what people remember aboutVince," said Crocker. "Very friendly, very warm when welcoming people in. Just a beautiful guy to work with and to laugh with.

"It's still hard to take it all in, that he's not here anymore."

BrandonCrainanother pastor at the churchremembersLoewenas an adventurous man who enjoyed working with his hands.

"He was actually my neighbour, so I would run into him all the time, even just outside of our church building," saidCrain. "He was always there to lend a helping hand.

It's still hard to take it all in that he's not here anymore.- Darryl Crocker

"If I needed anything I would go toVincefor it."

Crocker said there were tears in the eyes of his congregation today as the church andpastors honoured and said goodbye to a long time member.

"If there was a concern with someone at the church he would come and ask me what he could do to help or what were the details," said Crocker. "I knew he was asking because he wanted to help and not because he wanted to know.

"I'm going to miss that very much."