Shaun Nugent, the 91原创 father of three who died shortly after he saved a woman from drowning, has been awarded a posthumous bronze medal for bravery by the (RCHA), which also issued an 鈥渉onorary testimonial鈥� certificate to Nugent鈥檚 wife Lianne for assisting in the rescue at Hayward Lake on July 27, 2019.
Normally, the RCHA presents medals at a public ceremony, but due to the pandemic, this year, awards were mailed to recipients.
For Lianne, the arrival of the package with the medal was an emotional moment.
鈥淲hen I opened it, I didn鈥檛 know if my heart was breaking, or coming back together,鈥� Lianne told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Their three children are 鈥減retty proud鈥� about the awards, she added.
Lianne down-played her citation for participating in the rescue, saying 鈥渕y motivation was to help my husband.鈥�
READ MORE: A day after his heroic rescue of a woman from drowning, Good Samaritan dies
The Nugent family was at Mission鈥檚 Hayward Lake when a woman drifted out onto the lake on her floaty.
When she realized how far she was from shore, she tried to paddle back, but lost hold of the inflatable and began to struggle in the water.
When a friend on shore noticed her distress and began screaming for help, Shaun swam out and helped her get back to shore.
By the time he got to the swimmer, she was about a football field length away from shore.
Lianne also swam out to help, and someone onshore threw a life ring and pulled them in the last few yards.
Shaun was exhausted.
On the Monday after the event, he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.
READ MORE: 91原创 man who died after rescuing swimmer was known for helping others
One year after Shaun鈥檚 death, Lianne marked the anniversary with a tribute posted on her Facebook page that described their last day together and the depth of her, and their children鈥檚 ,loss.
It is excerpted with her permission.
鈥滱n ordinary Monday after an ordinary weekend,鈥� Lianne wrote.
鈥淪aved a life, mowed the lawn, went to work. Kissed me good bye, 鈥楲ove you. Have a great day.鈥� I teased you about your hair, you checked yourself out in the rearview mirror. How many times have I replayed our last moment. Our last kiss. Our last I love you.鈥�
鈥滻 could write pages filled with all of the things I miss about you,鈥� Lianne went on to say.
鈥淚 miss everything. Just everything.鈥�
Shaun Nugent received the Bronze Medal for Bravery and Lifesaving, which is awarded for 鈥済allantry in saving or trying to save life鈥� by the RCHA.
RCHA spokesperson Adrian Marr said 鈥渄uring this challenging time for our nation and the world, we bring about hope and the promise of a better and safe future when we recognize and celebrate unselfish acts of courage by citizens, which inspire the best in all of us.鈥�
The association鈥檚 stated mission is to 鈥渞ecognize such deeds of heroism, by Canadians in civilian life, who, through their alertness, skill and concern, save or attempt to save a life, especially where those actions lie outside the ordinary duties of the person involved.鈥�
It orginated from the Royal Humane Society, the parent organization, which was incorporated under royal charter in London, England in 1774.
The Royal Canadian Humane Association was formed in 1894.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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