SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — The Late Constable Marc Hovingh
April 30, 2021
Honourable senators, this Sunday the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation will hold the twenty-second annual Ceremony of Remembrance virtually. The ceremony provides an opportunity for officers and families to honour the lives of Ontario police officers who were lost in the line of duty.
This year, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to Constable Marc Hovingh, who was tragically killed five months ago. Constable Hovingh was a 28-year veteran of the OPP. He served in the Apsley and Bancroft detachments until he moved to Manitoulin Island in 1999, after he and his family fell in love with the beauty of the island.
On November 19, Constable Hovingh died from a gunshot wound after responding to a property complaint. He was 52 years old. Marc was a loving husband to Lianne and devoted father to Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sarah. Friends described him as a loyal and kind man of faith. He loved sailing, building projects and kidding around. The “gentle giant” loved to tease and was able to laugh at himself, revealing his famous “gap-toothed grin,” according to his brother Albert.
Chief Superintendent Carson Pardy said:
Marc’s death has had a tremendous impact on the entire community: from his church, to his friends and neighbours, the kids he coached, and his OPP family.
The Hovingh family has received a tremendous amount of support from the community. In her eulogy, his wife Lianne described the outpouring of support as “an ocean of love and prayers that have gently covered and comforted us.” People, including many strangers, have been overwhelmingly supportive in contributing to the family.
Marc’s body was brought back home for the service and the streets were lined with first responders, First Nation drummers and citizens from the island.
Marc often said he was blessed to serve. He did so with compassion, dedication and humility. He modelled his faith in the way he treated everyone he encountered. Fellow officers say he was heroic in his final moments and his actions prevented further deaths.
Dear colleagues, while most of Canada has been hunkered down during this past year, let us remember families such as the Hovinghs, who are not only dealing with the effects of lockdown but are also bearing the suffering of unimaginable loss. We send them our sincere condolences and express our gratitude for the community work that police officers do every day on our behalf.
I invite you to take a moment on May 3 to remember the sacrifices made by those officers who serve and protect Ontario.
Thank you. Meegwetch.