Justice and Public Safety
April 26, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety:

Minister Offers Condolences

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of two exceptional educators who were recently taken from us much too soon.

Principal Randy Ralph and teacher Shannon Pittman were commuting together from the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre on April 19 when they were involved in a tragic automobile accident that claimed both their lives. Another teacher is still in hospital in serious condition and we wish him the best during his recovery.

Randy and Shannon loved teaching and working with youth and the outpouring of support that has been displayed since their passing has been remarkable. Randy was well known for the extracurricular time he spent as a coach for a variety of sports and was also quite active with the St. John's Native Friendship Centre. Shannon had a passion for music, body building and motorcycles. Both were husbands and fathers.

Mr. Speaker, Randy and Shannon were respected and adored by their colleagues and their students. Their loss is a significant blow to the education and justice systems in the province.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I offer my deepest condolences to Randy and Shannon's loved ones as they deal with this terrible ordeal. I hope they find some solace in the fact that both men had such positive impacts on the lives of those they came into contact with over the years.

Thank you.

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2016 04 26                              1:50 p.m.