Cailen is pictured here with his girlfriend Jaydean. He planned to propose to her before he died in a crane collapse in Kelowna. (GoFundMe)

Canadian country star pays tribute to cousin killed in crane collapse in Kelowna

Aaron Pritchett described Cailen Vilness as “a prince of a man”

A Canadian country singer mourns his cousin who died in a crane collapse in Kelowna on July 12.

Vancouver-born Aaron Pritchett described his cousin, Cailen Vilness, as a sweet, kind, honorable, and loving young man.

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“Every time I happened to be in Kelowna, Cailen dropped anything to visit,” Pritchett wrote on a social media post.

“His infectious smile and laughter, his sense of kindness and caring warmed my heart and everyone he met. He really was a prince of a man, and anyone who met him would say the same thing about Cailen. “

Pritchett said Cailen may have died young, but the impact he has had on other people’s lives is immense.

“Some people are brought to earth as angels. To be a light for those who need positivity, happiness and the will to live.

“Cailen was one of those people.”

Cailen leaves behind his parents Chris and Danielle, the brothers Layne and Declan and the sisters Kharis, Ana and Madelyn.

Pritchett asked people to donate to the fundraiser in honor of Cailen, who will cover his funeral expenses and support his family.

@twilamam
twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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City of KelownaKelownaKelowna Crane CollapseOkanagan