London community mourns loss of Forest Cliff camp director killed in crash

Family and friends of Londoner Tyler Shaule are remembering him as a loving husband and father, man of faith and a leader with a big heart.

Shaule died April 24 after a passenger vehicle collided with a transport truck northeast of Strathroy around 10:40 a.m. on Egremont Drive between Hedley Drive and Ilderton Road. The second driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

Shaule, 44, is known in the community for serving in his role as chief executive officer of Forest Cliff Camps in Lambton Shores for more than a decade — a camp he's been a part of since his youth and the place he met his wife Janet.

"The impact has been devastating," said Mark Farrow, a friend of Shaule's and pastor at Stoney Creek Baptist Church in London, where his family attends.

"I've been getting messages and e-mails, phone calls from church leaders from other churches from other people that have been impacted by Tyler's life. He had a huge impact on so many," he said. "The impact that Tyler had is far and wide."

His church community held a service of lament this past Sunday in response to the news of Shaule's tragic death, he said. "This has definitely been a time of grief and sorrow."

Farrow said he was a kind, generous, gifted visionary and leader with charisma — an incredible father to his kids, and a devoted husband to his wife, whose faith was central to his life.

The impact on the Forest Cliff Camps community will also be "enormous," said Farrow, whose church partners with Forest Cliff to host day camps in the summer. The camp hosts 4,000 children and youth annually through their overnight camp in Lambton Shores and day camps across southwestern Ontario.

"I can't even describe the loss it will be without him," he said.

With seasonal staff set to arrive at the overnight camp in the coming weeks, the camp's board is making plans to ensure everything is ready, said Jon Burkholder, Forest Cliff's executive director of day camps.

"We've got great people, that was something Tyler was really good at, surrounding great people to fill in those roles," he said. "Forest Cliff is going to miss Tyler a lot this summer."

Shaule was a humble leader with brilliant ideas and someone who dreamt big, Burkholder said. "He just taught us all to genuinely care for camp families, for people."

His brother-in-law Devon Wagler said Shaule loved spending time with his family. He was a big baseball fan, who loved Star Wars movies and playing games with his three sons.

Shaule and their other brother-in-law Mike were part of a special trio who married into the family around the same time. They would spend time cooking together, and having a lot of nerdy and important life conversations, Wagler said.

"He wasn't afraid to do the right thing, even if it was hard. That's something I always respect about him."

Ultimately, it's love that defined Shaule's life, Wagler said.

Tyler Shaule's life will be celebrated by the community on Saturday and Sunday at Stoney Creek Baptist Church in London.