‘He packed in 100 years’ worth’ of living
Paramedic, rescue volunteer who died at 36 remembered for his selflessness
Jay Piggot crammed a lifetime of living into 36 years. But for family, friends and colleagues left behind, his death came all too soon.
On Monday, hundreds of people gathered under grey skies to say goodbye to Piggot, a North Shore Rescue volunteer, B.C. Ambulance Service paramedic, beloved friend and devoted family man who had dedicated his life to serving other people.
“It has become clear that Jay is good at managing his time,” said Mike Danks of North Shore Rescue at a celebration of life service for Piggot, who died Dec. 5 after a prolonged battle with cancer. “He packed in 100 years’ worth of experiences in a short 36 years,”
The service, held at a field in North Vancouver’s Capilano Rugby Clubhouse, started and ended with an honour guard made up of members of North Shore Rescue and B.C. Ambulance Service. In between was a Squamish tribute, solemn moments and bittersweet laughter.
Many speakers talked about Piggot’s abiding love for Disneyland and his arts-and-crafty side that had earned him the nickname “Martha.”
With his wife Denise Findlay and two sons, Jake, 11, and Max, 9, seated behind the podium, they also spoke of his generous heart, his joy at serving others, and his devotion to his family.
“He did a whole lifetime worth of parenting in 11 years for Jake ... but that’s how hands-on he was, that’s how involved and committed he was to baseball with Max,” said Findlay in a video message projected on two large screens.
“Perhaps he knew his time was going to be short, so he gave them this incredibly strong foundation.”
To all who knew her husband, he has left a “big footprint on everybody’s heart,” said Findlay.
Fellow search and rescuer Jeff Yarnold talked about his outgoing friend’s lack of a filter, which turned out to be an asset because “it was like a straight view to his heart.”
Piggot joined North Shore Rescue shortly after meeting Tim Jones and Curtis Jones on a call in North Vancouver in 2010.
The elder Jones, the leader of North Shore Rescue at the time, was so impressed with Piggot’s energy and passion he immediately started the recruitment process to steal him away from Lions Bay Search and Rescue, where Piggot was a member at that time.
“It was pretty clear Jay was the type of guy search and rescue needed, the type of person who’d dedicate himself to the service of others ... with no expectation of reward,” said the younger Jones, who carried his ashes in a box in the processional honour guard.
After Tim Jones died in 2014, Piggot continued his mentor’s legacy, working tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain the equipment, restock medical kits, and work as a field team leader.
Piggot was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile-duct cancer, in 2015. He fought it and recovered. In July this year, he was diagnosed with cancer again.
He was weak but out and about up until about a week before he died, said Findlay. He had insisted on living at home, only grudgingly agreeing to be checked into palliative care on Dec. 4. He was transported by his North Shore Rescue teammates to Lions Gate Hospital that day. They also helped put him to bed for what would be the last time. Piggot died the next morning.
A Fundrazr page originally launched to help raise funds for Piggot’s cancer treatment in the U.S. will now be redirected toward his children. It had raised more than $71,000 out of the $100,000 goal by Monday night.