A Paradise Valley man described as steadfast and devoted to his wife, five children, and his numerous friends, died Sunday (Sept. 13) after reportedly rolling over while riding his all terrain vehicle (ATV).
At 5:45 p.m., RCMP, Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance attended to a report of a rolled over ATV on Paradise Valley Road near the Jack Webster Bridge.
Investigators located a blue ATV overturned, and 46-year-old Randal Holden was located 15 feet away, according to a police news release. There was no helmet located at the scene, said police, and emergency crews were unable to resuscitate him.
Holden, a Midnight Way resident, had gone for a Sunday afternoon ride after seeing guests off following a musical gatherings held at his family's home that weekend. It was one of many he and his wife Karen held at their Paradise Valley acreage.
"He kept friends and family very close to him," said Cindy Hansen who, along with husband Kamar, has been friends with the family for nine years. "He just had a heart of gold. He went out of his way for pretty much everybody - every family - he always had a helping hand."
Holden's steadfast demeanor also appealed to children - his own three, the two he adopted when he and wife Karen began sharing a life, and those of his friends who called him Uncle Randy.
"He had a very good affinity, good rapport with kids," said Hansen. "He had real structure with his children, and good advice for his family and other people's kids."
Holden also fostered music in the community. Friend Billy Lane credits Holden with the launch of the weekly fundraising event, An Acoustic Unplugged Jam Session with Billy and Jimmy. After recognizing the duo's talent, Holden got the ball rolling by approaching the Grizzly Pub owners with the idea of the jam, said Lane.
Now proceeds of the Friday (Sept. 25) jam session will go toward supporting Holden's wife and their five children, aged nine to 18.
Originally from Coquitlam, Holden came to the area in 2003 while working as a film set builder for Walking Tall, starring The Rock, which many locals will remember transformed a lot on the west end of Cleveland Avenue into the Wild Cherry Casino.
The notorious long hours and pressures of the business never fazed him, according to his friend of 20 years and co-worker Chris Thompson.
"He was a super nice guy. I never heard him get mad in 20 years. He dealt with people really well," said Thompson.
Holden's steady demeanor could on first sight be mistaken for surliness, but that impression didn't stick around long, said Thompson.
"He's the nicest grumpy-looking guy you ever met," he laughed, adding that his demeanor served well in the movie business.
"One thing that he always said is 'When the crew shows up we don't be scrambling around. We want to be sitting back, calm and relaxed with sunglasses on.' So sitting back calm and relaxed with sunglasses on is how [I'll remember him].
"I'm going to miss him. I worked with him side-by-side for years. I'm starting up a new show tomorrow and to go there and do it without him He was all excited about starting the new show."
Co-worker of 18 years, Gary McVarish, who bunked with Holden for a month in Whistler while working on Wings of Courage, echoed the description.
"He was just one of those guys - 'Everything is beautiful' was his term."
During his initial two-month stay in Squamish, Holden fell in love with the community and quickly moved his family to an acreage in Paradise Valley. He wasted no time making tight connections with locals all over town, said Hansen.
"The community that Randy knows - he and Karen know a lot of people in Squamish - they've been very supportive, outstanding," she said. "They're there with anything she needs."
Holden's IATSE union local 891 brothers and sisters are also helping out by "passing the hat around," said Thompson. A substantial donation has already been dropped off, and more will come, he said, adding, "She'll need it."
Thompson said a memorial for Holden is being organized, and details would be finalized by early next week. Anyone wishing to join in a celebration of Holden's life can get in touch with Thompson by email at [email protected].
