19 December 2008
Train Crash Victim was Fun-Loving
Lakeshore Ontario - StarCory Randall Wonsch, 22, of
Tecumseh, was killed when a freight train struck his vehicle at a railway crossing in Lakeshore on 18 Dec 2008.
Friends of the young man who was killed when a freight train smashed into his vehicle at a Lakeshore railway crossing on Thursday are
remembering him as a fun-loving and adventurous soul.
Cory Randall Wonsch, 22, of Tecumseh, was pronounced dead at the scene on Wallace Line between County Roads 42 and 22 just after 3
p.m. Lakeshore OPP said the vehicle - a 1999 Chevy Trailblazer - was heading north across the tracks when it was hit by the westbound
CP train.
The train pushed the wreckage about 300 metres before coming to a rest.
"There was no way of taming him.
He was always looking to increase that level of fun, whatever environment he was in," recalled 22-year-old Kurt
Frederick, a childhood friend of the deceased. "Basically, he was the man."
Frederick said Wonsch is survived by his father, mother, and younger brother Scott.
Wonsch attended St. Pius X Catholic elementary school and St. Anne high school in Tecumseh. After graduation, he began a career in
construction. Frederick said Wonsch was advancing rapidly and appeared to greatly enjoy his work. "He was doing very well. He got
a lot of licences and papers to operate heavy machinery," Frederick said. "He was being sent all over Ontario to do his job.
I guess it was in high demand, so they'd send him to places."
Frederick said the family lives near the lake, and Cory had fond memories of hanging out by the water and riding bikes throughout the
area. Frederick said Wonsch was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to baseball and the Detroit Tigers. As well, he enjoyed an
active social life. "He always had lots of friends." Frederick said that whenever he'd see Wonsch at local night spots,
Cory would have a huge grin on his face and seemed to command people's attention. "It was kind of like he was a king,"
Frederick said. "Everybody loved him."
OPP investigators were at the scene of the crash for several hours Thursday. "From what we understand, he was travelling at a
normal rate of speed and did not stop on the tracks," said Const. Karen Gignac-Trudell of Lakeshore OPP.
"Visibility was fine."
The crossing has no flashing lights nor gates to warn of approaching trains.
A family member declined to comment. Arrangements have been made with Marcotte Funeral Home, 12105 Tecumseh Rd. E. Visitation takes
place Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday.
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