WINDSOR, N.S. — Sitting on a park bench overlooking Lake Pisiquid, a light mist in the air, Vivian Wells collects her thoughts.
She’s armed with a notebook and a large coffee.
She wants to make sure she thanks everyone who has helped her family find closure.
Wells received confirmation from the provincial medical examiner’s office on Oct. 29 that her beloved older brother, Tim, was indeed deceased.
Tim had been missing since May of 2018. On the day before Mother’s Day, he seemingly vanished without a trace. His disappearance was very out of character.
Police search efforts undertaken along Highway 1, the portion of Chester Road that runs to Card Lake, where initial reports noted he was last seen travelling by bicycle, came up empty.
An Ardoise resident, Allan Murphy Sr., who spent nearly three decades assisting volunteer search and rescue operations, independently began searching for Tim along Chester Road. In the spring of 2018, a Facebook group sprung up, with residents making plans for a detailed search of the woods by ATV.
Earlier this year, a comprehensive search was conducted by members of various ground search and rescue organizations, in conjunction with the RCMP and Windsor Fire Department. This time, the focus was on Windsor and a few key areas in Falmouth.
This search, which helped rule out places he could be, also came up empty.
On Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 14, a hiker, who went off trail at Moses Mountain, discovered a body.
“My heart goes out for him. I’m really concerned about what, psychologically, this could do for him. I hope that it doesn’t haunt him,” said Wells.
“It’s never easy to find someone that is deceased but I know in this situation, it’d be even harder,” she continued. “He’s in my prayers.”
Speaking on behalf of Marion Knox, Wells’ mother, herself and her daughters, Wells said they will forever be grateful that the hiker decided to venture into the woods.
“If it wasn’t for him, Timmy may never have been found,” said Wells.
She said the RCMP were fairly certain it was Tim the day his body was discovered as his bicycle was with him, but she said they had to confirm his identity via an autopsy.
A member of the Windsor and District RCMP was not available for comment as of press time.
Wells said her brother liked Moses Mountain and he had been there before, fishing and camping.
Moses Mountain, which is located near Nova Scotia Power’s Avon 1 Hydro Power Plant, is about 16 to 19 kilometres via bicycle from the Victoria Park Guest House in Windsor, where Tim was living. Tim had insulin-dependent diabetes and required medication to treat a mental illness. Wells said he was diligent in taking his required doses.
While she still has questions about how Tim got to his final resting place, she said she’s thankful the family now has closure and can give him a proper burial.
IN REMEMBRANCE
The family is planning a graveside service on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery.
An open house is scheduled for Nov. 3 at the Three Mile Plains Community Hall from 2-4 p.m. as a way for the community to pay their respects and remember Tim. It will be a potluck. This is being organized by one of Wells’ nieces, she said.
“They can share their stories about Tim and their memories,” said Wells.
Timothy Hugh “Tim” Wells, who was 56 when he went missing, was the son of Marion Knox, of Windsor Elms Village, and the son of the late Alfreda and James Wells. His obituary notes he is survived by sisters, Christine, Windsor; April, Moncton, N.B.; Vivian, Windsor and brother, Burton, plus many nieces and nephews “that he adored, and they him.”
Tim was described as being “always there to help a buddy in need. He had a kind heart and a desire for laughter in a world that didn’t understand that was all that was needed to make it a better place.”
Donations in memory of Tim may be made to Diabetes Association of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Mental Health Foundation, or to the 9 Lives Cat Rescue.
Wells, with tears in her eyes, said they are so thankful for everyone who supported the family since her brother’s disappearance, whether it was emotional support or spending time searching – the generosity will never be forgotten.
“Tim is home; let the healing begin.”
READ MORE
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