Russell man from Philippines who died in rollover remembered for his dedication to family

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This article was published 19/07/2017 (2470 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A recent arrival from the Philippines, Jake Madula was like a “little kid in the candy shop” when talking about the life he was going to build for his family in Russell.

Madula’s life ended tragically on Monday in a single-vehicle rollover near Rossburn.

In the wake of the 36-year-old’s death, friends and co-workers are remembering Madula’s dedication to his loved ones and his fun-loving spirit, while hoping to raise money so his body can be repatriated to the Philippines.

“His family back home, that was his dream,” Elmer Pimentel said.

The friends, both Filipinos, once lived in the same house in Russell, where Madula often spoke of his family and his excitement of bringing them to Canada. Pimentel got to watch them interact when Madula’s wife, Emely, and son, JM, 5, moved to Russell after Madula became a permanent resident.

“Jake is really a wonderful person,” he said. “He’s a good father to his son and a good provider to his family.”

Madula worked a number of side jobs to ensure his family was taken care of, said Christine Diores, a friend who also grew up in the Philippines.

“He worked hard for his family. That was his dream, to bring his family over here and build a life,” she said.

Madula arrived in Canada in June 2013 as a foreign worker, employed at the Russell Inn as a carpenter. More recently, he was a contractor and was about to start a part-time job at a bee farm.

He took the lead on the work site, said Mike Stasiuk, construction foreman at the Russell Inn.

“If there was something that needed to be done, he took charge,” he said. “He was the real spirit on the crew.”

Police said Madula died when he was ejected from a vehicle on a gravel road near Rossburn, roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Brandon, at 12:40 p.m. on Monday.

According to a friend, Madula jumped out of the truck as it veered off-course and the other three occupants remained inside. One passenger received minor injuries and the driver and another passenger were not hurt.

Several locations in Russell are seeking donations on behalf of the family to pay for repatriation and other expenses. A GoFundMe account has also been established (gofundme.com/help-us-bring-jake-home).

— Brandon Sun