Family Seeks Good Samaritan Who Aided Stepdad

CPR might not have saved Ron Snook’s life – but it gave his family the invaluable chance for a proper farewell.

“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 struggling with chronic kidney disease for years. He had survived several close calls before, but this episode was different. Potassium levels had built up in his body and caused his heart to stop, leading to kidney failure.

Snook’s family believes that would have been the end if a Good Samaritan hadn’t intervened to provide 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, Ont., family wants to find a Good Samaritan who helped their loved one with CPR so they could say goodbye. Ron Snook, 65, collapsed on New Year’s Eve on King Street due to complications from kidney disease. Paramedics informed his family that CPR from the unknown person got Snook’s heart beating again and extended his life for a few hours. This allowed paramedics time to take him to the hospital where his family could say their goodbyes. Renée Poirier spoke with CBC K-W’s Aastha Shetty about how important CPR is and what saying goodbye meant for them.

The family noted that this stranger’s selfless act provided Snook a few extra hours of life, enabling paramedics to take him in for further medical assistance and giving them just a bit more time together. That precious 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 her family’s quest is now focused on finding the Good Samaritan who performed CPR on her stepfather.

Ron Snook was a devoted family man who adored his grandchildren and frequently contributed back to the community through random acts of kindness, according to his stepdaughters. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

‘We got to say goodbye’

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

“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 in her post addressing the Good Samaritan directly.

“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 posted this message on a community page hoping her words will reach the Good Samaritan who assisted her stepfather on New Year’s Eve. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

Poirier stated her sister’s social media message hasn’t led them yet toward finding the Good Samaritan but 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 is shown enjoying moments with his grandchild; he had long battled kidney disease. (Victoria Lee/Facebook)

Poirier emphasized how crucial it is for people learn CPR.

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

“His life could have been lost at that very moment while he was alone.. but he was able be surrounded by family because someone knew how do perform CPR and get his heart going again even if it was only for a short time.”</pp

Poirier added her stepfather was well-known around Bridgeport where he often engaged in random acts of kindness like clearing snow off neighbors’ sidewalks or raking leaves from their yards.<LISTEN | Kitchener family thanks Good Samaritan:/LISTEN

The Morning Edition – K-W5:49Kitchener family thanks Good SamaritanAfamilyislookingforthe Good Samaritanthettgave theirbelovedfather CPRwhenhecollapsedon New Year’s Eve. Thatactgavethefamilyabittersweetgifttheystillcherish: thechancetosaygoodbye.

The Importanceof Learning CPR

Lou Taddeoisregionalmanagerfor St. John Ambulance Ontario , anorganizationthatprovidesanumberoffirst-aidcoursesincluding CPRtraining.

Hesaidthat asamedicalfirstresponderwhohasperformed CPRmanytimesinemergency situations , hehadmixedfeelingswhenheheard Snook ’s story.

“Wewanttogiveeveryonethebestpossibleoutcometohaveasuccessfulrecovery-notthey’re alwaysgoingtobeguaranteed ,”Taddeosaid.

“It’sahappystory, butalso unfortunately, it ‘ssadstorybecauseyou ‘rejustwonderinghowmanypeopledon’t havethatopportunitytosaygoodbye.”

Hesaidstorieslikethisexemplifytheimportanceoflearninghowto do CPR.

“Youneverknowwhenyou’regonnabeabletoutilizetheseskills , beita colleague, someoneatworkorfamilymemberorlovedone, a neighbor, a friend,”hesaid.

“The bestwaytobepreparedistotrain.”

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