Family Seeks Kind Stranger Who Gave CPR to Stepdad

CPR may not have saved Ron Snook’s life – but it did give his family the invaluable gift of a proper goodbye.

“It would have been such a different story if I would have got that phone call at 1:09 [a. m.] saying that he was gone,” said Renée Poirier, his stepdaughter.

“That person who took that time to give him that chance gave us the chance, gave our kids the chance to be able to say goodbye to grandpa.”

Late on New Year’s Eve, Ron Snook suddenly collapsed along King Street in Kitchener.

The 65-year-old had been dealing with chronic kidney disease for many years. He had survived several close calls before, but this episode was different. Potassium had built up in his system and caused his heart to stop, resulting in kidney failure.

Snook’s family stated that would have been the end if a Good Samaritan hadn’t stepped forward to perform CPR.

WATCH | Kitchener, Ont., woman looks to thank Good Samaritan who gave stepdad CPR:

Kitchener, Ont., woman looks to thank Good Samaritan who gave stepdad CPR

A Kitchener family is hoping to find the kind stranger who performed CPR on their loved one, allowing them one last farewell. Ron Snook, 65, collapsed on New Year’s Eve due to complications from kidney disease. Paramedics informed his family that CPR from an unknown individual revived Snook’s heartbeat and extended his life for a few hours. This precious time enabled paramedics to transport him to the hospital where they could say their goodbyes. Renée Poirier spoke with CBC K-W’s Aastha Shetty about how valuable CPR is and what it meant for her family.

The family’s gratitude for this stranger’s act of kindness provided Snook with extra hours of life, giving paramedics enough time to take him to the hospital for further medical assistance and enabling them all just a bit more time together. That time allowed Snook’s family members to surround him with love before he passed away three days later, just shy of his birthday next Tuesday.

Poirier mentioned their family is now determined to locate the Good Samaritan who helped her stepfather through CPR.

Ron Snook was a devoted family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren and often contributed back into the community through spontaneous acts of kindness, according to his stepdaughters. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

‘We got to say goodbye’

The search began with a Facebook post in a community group page shared by Victoria Lee, another one of Snook’s stepdaughters.

“Because of you, because you chose to act in a moment when many might freeze, our family was given an unimaginable gift-TIME,” Lee wrote directly addressing the Good Samaritan in her post.

“In the midst of one of the hardest moments of our lives, your kindness and humanity gave us something we will hold onto forever. There are no words that fully express our gratitude, but we would be so grateful for the chance to thank you personally.”

Victoria Lee made this post on a community page hoping her heartfelt message will reach out again towards the Good Samaritan who assisted her stepfather on New Year’s Eve. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

Poirier noted that while her sister’s social media effort hasn’t yet led them closer in finding the Good Samaritan, they remain hopeful.

“I wanna squeeze them and hug them and let them know how grateful our whole family is that we got to say goodbye; it means everything to every single one of us.”

Snook was seen enjoying moments with his grandchild; he had long battled kidney disease. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

Poirier also emphasized how crucial it is for people everywhere learn CPR.

“Knowing how do perform CPR could ultimately change someone’s life,” Poirier expressed.

“His life could have been over right then if he’d been alone.. but he got those extra moments because someone knew how do perform CPR and restarted his heart again-even if only briefly.”

Poirier described her stepfather as someone well-liked within Bridgeport area; he’d often engage in random acts like clearing snow off neighbors’ sidewalks or raking leaves from front yards without being asked or expecting anything back.

Importance of learning CPR

Lou Taddeo serves as regional manager at St. John Ambulance Ontario-a group offering various first-aid courses including ones focused specifically around teaching individuals techniques related specifically towards performing effective resuscitation practices like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).