“This is a card we gave him just last week when he turned 24, he’s our Canada Day baby,” Pat Andersen said as he looked lovingly at his son’s birthday card and collection of photos, holding them memories as he continues. to mourn this profound loss. “It just doesn’t seem real,” he said. Chad Andersen died at the hospital Thursday after his motorcycle collided with a truck at the intersection of Tenth Line and Wall streets. At the same intersection, a memorial has been placed in his honor with flowers and bottles from his favorite breweries. “I take over the recycling on this stretch of road,” said older brother Adam Andersen. He was working nearby at the time of the crash. “I heard on the radio that there is a motorcycle accident at Tenth Line and Wall Road. I didn’t think anything of it, oh no way it’s Chad.” But when he heard that the motorcyclist had died, that’s when he hit him. “I pulled the truck over immediately called my brother and his cell phone rang four times,” he said. Adam says his brother was known for living life in the fast lane, but he also made time for his friends and loved ones. “He would do anything to give you a smile, give you a big hug,” she said. Since news of Chad’s death, the Andersens have received an outpouring of messages from those who knew him, reinforcing what the family already knew. “He was so full of life, he had a heart of gold and he put everyone before himself,” his brother said. “She was my baby and I will always miss her,” Pat said. Chad was a big fan of country music, with Luke Bryan among his favorites. The country singer is at the Ottawa Bluesfest and the family says they will attend his concert Thursday in his honor.
