Ste. Anne man who died in hospital hours after assault was ‘a real community guy,’ friend says
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A world-class chef who volunteered with local police and fire departments in the rural municipality of Ste. Anne has been identified as the man who police say died after he was assaulted on Saturday.
Officers who went to investigate an assault in the southern Manitoba municipality shortly after 11:30 p.m. Saturday found a 49-year-old man with life-threatening injuries, RCMP said in a Tuesday news release.
The man was taken to hospital and died from his injuries a few hours later, police said. Police did not name him or specify his injuries, but said his death is being investigated as a homicide.
Jason Huley, Cameron’s brother, told CBC News on Tuesday Cameron was the man who was killed.
Cameron Huley spent more than two decades as a chef, representing Canada in multiple international culinary competitions, according to his website. He was a volunteer firefighter and also volunteered with the Ste. Anne Police Service, his LinkedIn profile says.
Jason described Cameron as a loving father and brother, but declined to comment further.
He said their family is asking for privacy, and urged people to be mindful of what they post about Huley’s death on social media.
Constance Glick, 42, said she had known Cameron Huley since she was 13 years old, and he remained a close friend.
“Cam didn’t have a mean or aggressive bone in his body, so I didn’t believe it at first,” she told CBC on Tuesday.
“I think a lot of people are still in shock, because it doesn’t make any sense.”
She described Huley as a kind, genuine person who worked hard to provide for his son. He was also “a real community guy” who loved people and volunteering, said Glick.
“We were really lucky to have known Cam,” she said. “There are a lot of good memories that people have of him and that’s, I think, what we need to focus on, is the joy he brought this world and getting justice for him.”
‘Heart of gold’
Huley was someone people could count on, said Brenden Walker, who knew the 49-year-old for over two decades.
“He was a heart of gold, that guy,” said Walker, adding he’s thinking of Huley’s family.
“You have an army behind you — you have thousands of people behind you.”
Jami Laurencelle said Huley was a good neighbour and friend, who was passionate about cooking.
“He could make a fruit platter look like a piece of art,” she said. “He genuinely loved people [and] cooking for them, and his son.”
Jami Laurencelle, a friend who lived near Huley, said he was passionate about cooking, and ‘could make a fruit platter look like a piece of art.’ (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)
News of Huley’s death left her with feelings of “shock, devastation and kind of fear,” she said.
“I hope whoever is responsible for this gets the consequences that they deserve.”
Marc Robichaud, chief of the Ste. Anne police department, said Huley was a friend. His loss is “very hard to put into words,” Robichaud said in a statement to CBC.
“He gave a great deal of himself to others, often quietly and without needing recognition,” he said.
“He was the kind of person people remembered after meeting him, and the kind of person you don’t forget once he was part of your life.”
WATCH | Ste. Anne man who died after assault remembered for kindness, generosity:
Ste. Anne man who died after assault remembered for kindness, generosity
A world-class chef who volunteered with police and fire departments in the rural municipality of Ste. Anne has been identified as the man who Manitoba RCMP say died after he was assaulted on Saturday.
