staff reporter
Three pubs are joining forces to raise money for the family of a man was crushed by his forklift while working at a Burnaby warehouse last month.
Samuel Kuris Jr., 39, wanted to take his two sons and daughter on a family holiday to Disneyland in April, but his tragic death has now left his family in financial need.
Kuris did not have mortgage insurance, and life insurance through the company he worked for only covers expenses for a few years.
After hearing about their plight, the Justin Strange Group of Companies decided to step in.
The hospitality company – which operates the Witch of Endor Pub in Maple Ridge, the new Golden Ears Pub in Pitt Meadows and Station House Pub in Aldergrove – will hold a succession of events to raise money for the Kuris children – Jack, Liam and Silver.
“I have three children, ages 4, 3, and 6 weeks, so I can sympathize with how hard it would be for a family to experience such a horrific loss,” said Justin Strange.
“I would only hope, if it was me who had accidentally experienced loss of life early, that a kind group of people would step in and offer assistance to help raise some resources to get by in the interim.”
Kuris was working for Summit Logistics at a warehouse in Burnaby when he was killed on Jan. 22.
WorkSafeBC spokeswoman Megan Johnston said two workers were operating forklifts in an attempt to lift a large piece of equipment.
“The load shifted. When the shift happened, it caused the worker’s forklift to spin quickly and roll onto its side,” Johnston added.
“The worker was thrown by the forklift and crushed by it. The other forklift operator was not injured.”
WorkSafeBC continues to investigate Kuris’ death, including whether training or equipment were issues.
Fundraisers
• Thursday, Feb. 24 @ The Witch of Endor, 22648 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge.
• Thursday, Feb. 24 @ The Station House Pub, 3122 Station Road, Aldergrove.
• Saturday, March 5 @ The Golden Ears Pub, 19267 Lougheed Highway, Pitt Meadows.
Each location will open the doors to ticket holders at 5 p.m. A live auction with up to 50 items will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include a burger and beer. Buy in advance from pub locations because the event will sell out.
Donations to the Kuris family can be made to VanCity, Account No. 176537, Branch 29.