Chilliwack pilot Patrick Forseth tragically died at the young age of 32 two months ago in a plane crash off the coast of Roatan, Honduras.
Now his family hopes to honour Patrick’s memory by establishing a flight scholarship for young Hondurans looking to the skies.
“The success of the fundraising goal set in ‘Patrick’s Wings’ will result in the very first full aviation scholarship in the history of Honduras,” his sister Jenna told The Progress this week. “Awarding this scholarship will be realizing part of my brother’s shared vision for a new Honduras.”
The Piper Cherokee Six he was flying plummeted into the Caribbean shortly after takeoff from Roatan en route to Guanaja on May 18.
The Associated Press reported that the other victims of the crash were four American passengers, citing an Armed Forces spokesperson. Four bodies were recovered at the crash site by the Honduran military, with a fifth patient dying later in hospital.
• READ MORE: Family of Chilliwack pilot killed in Honduras trying to ‘piece together’ tragedy
Since the crash, the family has struggled with what happened.
On July 15, his sister Jenna set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for a memorial flight scholarship in her brother’s name. The goal is $20,000 and in two days it had raised $2,730.
“Patrick was an immensely loved and respected ‘larger than life’ pilot and friend to many,” according to her GoFundMe post. “He left a positive mark in people absolutely everywhere that he went with his engaging signature laughter, compassion, and kindness. All those who know Patrick have a story of how their lives improved because of him, both personally and professionally.”
One hundred per cent of the fund will go to support an aspiring pilot to attend a professional flight training program offered at Horizontes, recognized as the best flight school in Central America.
“Patrick was closely involved with this flight school and was a great supporter and mentor of their new pilots.”
Jenna passed on a quote about her brother from a Honduran doctor who knew Patrick well.
“Patrick Daniel Forseth shared a vision with a group of Honduran entrepreneurs whose great desire is to bring about a renewed and prosperous Honduras,” Dr. Jihan Hasbun said. “This was to be accomplished without violence and corruption, but with education, unity, and the sharing of resources of a new generation of visionaries.”
Click on this link to the visit the “Patrick’s Wings” Memorial Flight Scholarship GoFundMe page.
– with files from The Canadian Press
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