Joshua Patenaude passed away on 14 July 2025 near Behchokǫ, Northwest Territories, while piloting a helicopter on a beautiful day. Just minutes before his helicopter fell from the sky, he radioed a pilot friend close by saying he was having a great day and had the best job ever. We are deeply grateful and comforted by the knowledge that when his helicopter went down, the Tłı̨chǫ people were holding ceremony near the site, and they prayed and drummed him on his journey to the ancestors.
Born in 1992 in Vancouver, Joshua grew up mostly on the city’s East Side. From the beginning, he radiated energy and warmth. His infectious grin and bright spirit drew people to him effortlessly. Always athletic, he played soccer and baseball, ran cross-country in track and field, was an avid paintballer, skier and outdoors man. Josh loved a good party and frequently went to concerts and raves. True to character, he would often step in as DD. Josh was a graduate of Vancouver Technical Secondary School (2010) and a retired member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Army Reserves.
In his twenties, Josh worked in restaurants, eventually becoming a skilled sous chef and bartender. He spent a year working in Australia and travelled through Europe, China, and Southeast Asia. He went on sun vacations with his family and later with his friends. In 2023 Joshua earned his commercial helicopter pilot certification. He was based in Kelowna and Yellowknife as ground crew, co-pilot, and pilot — steadily accumulating hours and additional certifications. His work took him across the country: fighting fires in Alberta, moving cargo in Ontario, and supporting an Indigenous tree-planting project in the Northwest Territories. While with Great Slave Helicopters, he displayed the same physical precision and skill he’d always been known for, earning further training and deep respect.
Josh made friends everywhere he went. He had an enormous circle of connections and embraced life fully: he loved adventure, risk, fine food, and a good party. He was consistently kind, thoughtful, and gentle with everyone — a valuable mentor and source of quiet support for many. He understood the pain others carried, and he lived in a way that tried not to add to it. While in Yellowknife, he volunteered with Home Base YK, an organization that provides housing and support to youth, and he was beloved there, as everywhere. We are so proud of the man he had become. In all walks of life, Joshua was a leader demonstrating remarkable charm and a soft spot for the underdog.
Back in 2007 while working at the PNE Joshua met the lovely Emilyn Chan. They were 15 and 16 at the time. They moved on with their lives but fortunately met again in 2021, fell deeply in love and began building a life together including becoming parents to their perfect dog Summit. In 2024 Josh proposed to Emilyn on the balcony of their hotel in Mexico and thankfully she said yes. Emilyn has become and always will be a cherished member of our family.
Josh felt the most important parts of his life were finally coming together the way they should. He wanted to be a father.
Joshua is survived by his beloved wife, Emilyn Chan; parents, Beverley Scorey and Alexandra Wilson; Kei Wilson-Scorey (sister); Evie Mandel (stepmother); Far Sebastian and Maeve O’Donahue (birth mother and sister); grandmothers, Margaret Wilson, Elizabeth Scorey and Eliane Hinsch, and loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In the words of his mother, Alexandra: “He took risks with his big heart, his playful spirit, and his beautiful body — and when he fell, he was caught by the wind and the sun and his ancestors.”
In lieu of flowers, his wife and family request donations in his memory to Home Base YK: https://www.homebaseyk.com
February 24th, 2026
Miss you always.
August 10th, 2025
To all of Josh’s loved ones, I would like to express my deepest condolences on the passing of such a kind soul. Through your descriptions of his love for adventure, generosity, and how he seems to have affected so many people around him with such positive energy, his spirit lives on. It seems inexplicable that in one moment he was alive and literally living his dream, and in the next fighting for his life while simultaneously successfully avoiding harming a bystander on the ground. I know you all couldn’t have been more proud of him and his achievements while admiring the incredible man he had become. Maybe there is a small amount of comfort knowing that by sharing his memory that even people who did not have a chance to know him can be inspired to add a bit of the ‘Josh magic’ into their lives too.
July 31st, 2025
On July 13 and 14, I had the pleasure to meet Josh to work and fly with him around Behchoko.
He was radiating happiness and it sure was contagious. Smiling and laughing, I am confident he left happy; doing what he liked.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, collegues and whoever was fortunate enough to cross paths with him.
July 30th, 2025
To Josh's fiancé, families, friends, colleagues and others who knew Josh,
Our lives all stopped on Monday, July 14th, when the words came of his passing in a sudden, tragic and unexpected event. We all remember the phone call, the message, the email, and the confirming media stories. What sadness. What a brutal shock. One minute he was alive, living his passion, and the next he was not. When one knows how great Josh was, there still is no reason; there was no reason for him to pass so soon.
The only solace is knowing that he was leading a happy life. Putting in the hard work, giving back as much as he received and more, and looking towards the horizon with anticipation in the realization that all the pieces were in place for a happy long haul.
You left us way too soon, my sweet friend.
Good bye Josh. You will continue to live in all our hearts.
With love, empathy and support,
Jacques
July 26th, 2025
To Josh's fiancé, families, friends, colleagues and others who knew Josh,
Our lives all stopped on Monday, July 14th, when the words came of his passing in a sudden, tragic and unexpected event. We all remember the phone call, the message, the email, and the confirming media stories. What sadness. What a brutal shock. One minute he was alive, living his passion, and the next he was not. When one knows how great Josh was, there still is no reason; there was no reason for him to pass so soon.
The only solace is knowing that he was leading a happy life. Putting in the hard work, giving back as much as he received and more, and looking towards the horizon with anticipation in the realization that all the pieces were in place for a happy long haul.
You left us way too soon, my sweet friend.
Good bye Josh. You will continue to live in all our hearts.
With love, empathy and support,
Jacques
July 26th, 2025
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful young man. A life taken far too soon - one of our “co-op kids”. We’re holding you close in our hearts and our thoughts. Condolences to all his family and friends. Hugs xx
July 26th, 2025
There are truly no words that can capture the depth of sorrow we feel for Josh's entire family. Please accept our heartfelt condolences for the unimaginable loss of Josh. To lose someone so full of life, love, and laughter at such a young age is simply heartbreaking.
Josh was a bright light—charming, funny, and full of warmth. Every time we were around him, his presence lifted the room. It was easy to see how much love and admiration he had for you, Emilyn and how supportive and devoted he was as a partner. You two shared something truly special, and we hope those memories offer even a small measure of comfort in the days ahead.
Please know that we are here for you, and that you are deeply loved. Our hearts are with you now and always.
With all our love, Cynthia, Matt, K, L & C
July 26th, 2025
With sincere condolences to my friend Far and family. Memory eternal❤️
July 26th, 2025
I went to high school with Josh, and he was the most amazing, kind , supportive guy any person would love to have as a friend! Gone but never forgotten!
God always takes the best first! Sending you love and prayers Josh. 🙏🏻🌹🌈🕯️
Until we meet again…
July 25th, 2025
There are truly no words that can capture the depth of sorrow we feel for Josh's entire family. Please accept our heartfelt condolences for the unimaginable loss of Josh. To lose someone so full of life, love, and laughter at such a young age is simply heartbreaking.
Josh was a bright light—charming, funny, and full of warmth. Every time we were around him, his presence lifted the room. It was easy to see how much love and admiration he had for you, Emilyn and how supportive and devoted he was as a partner. You two shared something truly special, and we hope those memories offer even a small measure of comfort in the days ahead.
Please know that we are here for you, and that you are deeply loved. Our hearts are with you now and always.
With all our love, Cynthia, Matt, K, L & C
July 25th, 2025
My deepest condolences to Josh's family, friends, colleagues and all those who loved him.
Your poignant tribute to Josh is moving beyond words and conveys the spirit of a man who continues to have a profound impact on the world around him.
May your cherished memories of him bring you comfort.
Love
Vanessa
July 25th, 2025
There are no words that can truly express the pain of losing you, Josh. You weren’t just my best friend—you were my brother. A brother in every sense of the word. Someone who stood beside me in the best of times, and more importantly, in the worst.
From the moment we started our journey together at Cactus Club, I knew we were building something special. Not just careers—but a lifelong bond. Even when life got busy, you still found time to send a message, a joke, or just a simple "Hey, how are you?"
Josh was always ready to party—he brought the energy, the laughter, and the vibe. No matter how bad my day or night was going, he had this amazing gift of flipping my mood around with a joke, a smile, or some wild plan to get us laughing. He just got me—and always knew exactly what I needed, even before I said a word.
You brought out a confidence in me that I didn’t even know I had. You understood me in ways that few ever could. You listened without judgment, supported without hesitation, and loved with your whole heart. You were truly the definition of a best friend—loyal, kind, and unwavering.
Losing you has left a hole in my heart that will never truly heal. But I promise to carry your memory with me always. In every laugh, every adventure, and every step forward—I’ll think of you.
I love you, Josh. You’ll forever be in my heart, and I’ll always be thankful for the brotherhood we shared. Rest easy, my friend. Until we meet again.
July 25th, 2025
Everything that has been said about Josh is true, he was truly one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known. Back in high school, during a time when I was being bullied and called names, it was Josh who reminded me of my worth. He never hesitated to lift others up and make them feel seen. He was the kind of friend you could always count on.
Through my wild rave days, Josh was a constant. He was the life of the party, always radiating joy, always making people smile. I’ll never forget the energy he brought into every room and the laughter we shared. Our friendship was something special, and even though life eventually took us down different paths, hearing that he chased his dreams and made them a reality fills my heart with pride.
Josh, you’ll always be remembered and forever missed. To his family, his wife, and all who loved him, my deepest condolences. This world has lost a truly beautiful soul.
July 25th, 2025
I'll always remember you as Josh Dragonborn. Thank you for all the fun and laughs at our gameboard nights at yours and em's place.
Rest easy, my friend 🧡 I'll always cherish our random deep talks, and you'll always be in my heart.
I love you my friend
July 25th, 2025
To all the people who loved Joshua , there are no words to describe what I imagine you must all feel . Your description of Josh is so very very beautiful and extremely vivid and moving . It really made me imagine the person he was
Carroll , Alexandra and Marg - I think of you all the time and the great loss and heartbreak this is for your loving hearts . Thank you for sharing this tribute of your precious Josh
With love
Tarina
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