Kevin James Schell

Kevin James Schell died attempting to rescue a man from drowning, Bracebridge, Ontario, August 24, 2020. A man and his friends were on a recreational pier that extended over the Muskoka River when the man, who was a poor swimmer, fell into the water. He struggled to stay afloat in 30 feet of water, with dangerous, unpredictable currents caused by a waterfall and manmade dam upriver from the pier. Several onlookers and Schell, 51, corrections officer, who was nearby on a bench with his daughter, witnessed the man struggling. One of the bystanders entered the water and swam to the man, who was panicking, and attempted to calm him. Unsuccessful, she attempted to calm him once more before disengaging and exiting the water in search of a flotation device. Meanwhile, Schell and his daughter searched for a life preserver before Schell instructed his daughter to phone 911. Schell then ran to the end of the pier and entered the water. He swam about 10 feet to the man. Two additional bystanders who also witnessed the incident entered the water immediately after Schell, swam to the man, and were able to shepherd him to a nearby buoy before placing a life jacket on him. At some point, Schell had submerged. The bystanders then swam the man back to the pier, where emergency personnel received him. The man had inhaled water; he recovered. Divers located Schell’s body more than six hours later, some 30 feet south of where he was last seen. He had drowned.

Obituary

Anyone who knew Kevin knew that he lived a life that was all in.

When he decided to get married only rings designed by him would do. He was all in.

When his daughter was born he did late night feedings, diaper changes, “talked like Barbie”, adventure hikes, ballet recitals and camp out sleep overs. He was all in.

When he decided to become a chef only a red seal would do. He was all in.

When he began his career in Food Services at CSC he quickly went from casual, to term, to indeterminate, to supervisor, to acting Chief, each step with an enthusiasm and determination that was unstoppable. He was all in.

When he dove into the water on August 24, 2020 to help someone in distress he never stopped to think. He went into the water as he lived. He was all in.

Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of a light that was father, husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.

He leaves behind in sorrow his beloved daughter Savine Schell, devoted wife Sandra Schell and adoring family, parents Diane and Neil Johnson, sister Tammy Gravina and Crystal Colgrave, brother Matthew Johnson, niece Kristin Wright, and nephew Alessandro Gravina. He will be greatly missed by close friends Mary Jane Horncastle, Jamie Quinn and Marty Kingshott.

For some moments in life there are simply no words to describe the pain within us.