Obituary for Jason Paul Loutitt
It is with broken hearts we announce the sudden passing of Jason Loutitt on June 7, 2021, at the age of 47 in Squamish, BC. He is survived by his son Shouken, his mother, Beverly (Ken), his father Paul (Sharon), sisters Cindy, Kim, and Laura, and so many more loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Jason touched many lives all over the world. He believed in celebrating life and passionately sharing that celebration in the real hope the world would come together as one. Through acts of kindness, and always with a big smile, he gave his all, making friends wherever life took him.
In a life cut short, Jason’s accomplishments were many. From hockey in his youth, martial arts as a young man and in 1999 while in the military he began to run. While enlisted, Jason was honoured with various awards for physical fitness.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Community Development, numerous Fitness Leadership diplomas, the NCCP Coaching Certifications in Athletics/Distance Running as well as securing STOTT Pilates Instructor and yoga certifications. During University he worked at the Running Room in Winnipeg, where he shared his knowledge and experience of fitness and running. In 2001 he earned the Tom Longboat Award which recognizes Aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport. Jason coached and participated in the 2002 Indigenous Games in Winnipeg. He also coached many other teams, including the National Diabetes Team.
His favorite saying was “Run like a bear is chasing you!”
He became a motivational speaker for the youth, encouraging them to be their best, guiding them to shape their lives and holding them accountable to do so. He ran and won many 10 KM races, including what is considered the most challenging 10K race in Canada: The Bear Mountain 10K. There were many 100-mile races too. He ran and conquered mountains all around the world, representing Canada as he did. Challenging himself brought him great joy.
He was honored to participate in the Normandy D-Day Commendation Ceremonies and Run, where he met his dear friend Laurent. He was also privileged and humbled to run in honor of his Great Grandfather, Billy Loutit, in the Loutit Dispatch of February 2004 in Athabasca.
His love for running and his belief we each have a responsibility to protect the earth, led him to literally run around the world in the Blue Planet Run, bringing awareness for the importance of clean drinking water to all the nations and communities they visited. During this adventure he fell in love with and married Taeko, a fellow runner.
As his journey continued, he excelled in long distance and endurance runs, including many international races, and later made another dear and special friend, Evannah, who was there whenever Jason needed a shoulder or a boost.
After suffering a significant ankle injury, he turned to cycling, and of course immediately excelled at it. In 2020 he cycled across Canada from Whistler, BC to Halifax, NS and then back, all without a support vehicle. He biked 12,000 kms in 44 days, 21 hours, and 3 minutes (yes minutes, for Jason was very particular and precise). His website EnviRIDEment (https://enviridement.com/) will continue his legacy as an Indigenous Messenger riding for the rights of all, and in support of the Squamish Helping Hands (https://www.squamishhelpinghands.ca/).
Like so many driven people, Jason had his struggles.
In both tough and good times, he was always extremely grateful for Taeko, the devoted and wonderful mother of their son Shouken. Without question, Jason’s best days were those he spent with Shouken, playing tennis, creating art, singing, camping, or just hanging out.
Jason will be greatly missed, and his memory a treasure in our hearts.
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the two strangers who stopped to help Jason, to the RCMP and to the paramedics, as well as for the kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone involved recently and throughout the years.
A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honour Jason, can make donations to an education fund set up for his son, Shouken Terauchi-Loutitt. Funds can be sent directly to Shouken’s Mother, Taeko Terauchi, P.O. Box 601, Squamish B.C., V8B 0A5 or via email transfer to tae-t2turbo@hotmail.com
Jason touched many lives all over the world. He believed in celebrating life and passionately sharing that celebration in the real hope the world would come together as one. Through acts of kindness, and always with a big smile, he gave his all, making friends wherever life took him.
In a life cut short, Jason’s accomplishments were many. From hockey in his youth, martial arts as a young man and in 1999 while in the military he began to run. While enlisted, Jason was honoured with various awards for physical fitness.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Community Development, numerous Fitness Leadership diplomas, the NCCP Coaching Certifications in Athletics/Distance Running as well as securing STOTT Pilates Instructor and yoga certifications. During University he worked at the Running Room in Winnipeg, where he shared his knowledge and experience of fitness and running. In 2001 he earned the Tom Longboat Award which recognizes Aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport. Jason coached and participated in the 2002 Indigenous Games in Winnipeg. He also coached many other teams, including the National Diabetes Team.
His favorite saying was “Run like a bear is chasing you!”
He became a motivational speaker for the youth, encouraging them to be their best, guiding them to shape their lives and holding them accountable to do so. He ran and won many 10 KM races, including what is considered the most challenging 10K race in Canada: The Bear Mountain 10K. There were many 100-mile races too. He ran and conquered mountains all around the world, representing Canada as he did. Challenging himself brought him great joy.
He was honored to participate in the Normandy D-Day Commendation Ceremonies and Run, where he met his dear friend Laurent. He was also privileged and humbled to run in honor of his Great Grandfather, Billy Loutit, in the Loutit Dispatch of February 2004 in Athabasca.
His love for running and his belief we each have a responsibility to protect the earth, led him to literally run around the world in the Blue Planet Run, bringing awareness for the importance of clean drinking water to all the nations and communities they visited. During this adventure he fell in love with and married Taeko, a fellow runner.
As his journey continued, he excelled in long distance and endurance runs, including many international races, and later made another dear and special friend, Evannah, who was there whenever Jason needed a shoulder or a boost.
After suffering a significant ankle injury, he turned to cycling, and of course immediately excelled at it. In 2020 he cycled across Canada from Whistler, BC to Halifax, NS and then back, all without a support vehicle. He biked 12,000 kms in 44 days, 21 hours, and 3 minutes (yes minutes, for Jason was very particular and precise). His website EnviRIDEment (https://enviridement.com/) will continue his legacy as an Indigenous Messenger riding for the rights of all, and in support of the Squamish Helping Hands (https://www.squamishhelpinghands.ca/).
Like so many driven people, Jason had his struggles.
In both tough and good times, he was always extremely grateful for Taeko, the devoted and wonderful mother of their son Shouken. Without question, Jason’s best days were those he spent with Shouken, playing tennis, creating art, singing, camping, or just hanging out.
Jason will be greatly missed, and his memory a treasure in our hearts.
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the two strangers who stopped to help Jason, to the RCMP and to the paramedics, as well as for the kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone involved recently and throughout the years.
A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honour Jason, can make donations to an education fund set up for his son, Shouken Terauchi-Loutitt. Funds can be sent directly to Shouken’s Mother, Taeko Terauchi, P.O. Box 601, Squamish B.C., V8B 0A5 or via email transfer to tae-t2turbo@hotmail.com