Mass held for toddler killed in truck crash

Older brother, mom survived Dec. 18 accident

Family and friends of Travis Bertrand gathered Monday morning to remember the 18-month-old boy, who was killed in a car crash before Christmas.

About 75 people attended the memorial mass at Saint Mark’s Catholic Church in northeast Calgary, where Pastor Malcolm D’Souza said that although Travis’ life was taken away too soon, he brought immeasurable joy to his family.

Travis was killed Dec. 18 in a crash on Glenmore Trail when the truck he was in, driven by his mother, lost control, crossed the centre median and hit an oncoming tractor-trailer truck. Travis’ four-year-old brother, Zackary, was also in the vehicle and survived.

Zackary attended Monday’s mass with his parents, Christopher and Francina.

During the tearful ceremony, a picture of Travis was displayed along with an arrangement of flowers.

A slide show after the mass showed dozens more photos of the toddler, fondly known as the Bertrand’s “monster monkey,” many of them drawing smiles and warm laughter from those watching.

Memorial donations under the name of Chris Bertrand are still being accepted at any Royal Bank of Canada branch in the province.