John Garley 49, from north of Stony Plain is being remembered as a loving husband and father to two daughters.

“John’s eyes always lit up and he would dawn a large smile when talking about his girls,” said a statement released by the Garley family.

Garley was one of the five men killed in an avalanche Friday afternoon in the Renshaw area near McBride, British Columbia.

The five men were among 17 people either buried or caught in the avalanche path while snowmobiling.

Garley’s family said he was an avid snowmobiler who was prepared for adventure with the most up-to-date emergency preparedness training and equipment.

“On Friday, January 29th, no matter the preparedness and support of rescuers, John unfortunately passed away.”

Rod Whelpton, with the Robson Valley Search and Rescue team, was in the area at the time and responded to the avalanche.

Whelpton said the snowmobilers were prepared and began digging each other out of the snow immediately.

“Everybody did the right thing,” said Whelpton.

John and his wife Janine have two daughters Jacquelyn and Jessica: “John’s girls were everything to John. He was so proud of the young ladies that his daughters had become.”

The statement went on to say: “All who knew John were aware he valued close and special relationship with friends. Though all knew it was his love for his family that made John so special.”

John and Janine would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year.

Close family friend, Dale Monaghan spoke to CTV Edmonton Sunday and said he and his daughter were snowmobiling on a mountain nearby when the avalanche hit.

“I turned down the opportunity to join the group a couple months ago when the offer was extended,” said Monaghan.

Monaghan said Garley worked as a heavy duty mechanic with Finning: “(He) took pride in his work and was a perfectionist when it came to quality.”

“He will be remembered and respected and really just cherished as a friend, a role model father, a family man, and a true gentleman,” said Monaghan.

The other four men killed are Tony Greenwood, 41, of Grande Prairie County, Todd Chisholm, 47, of St. Albert, Vincent Loewen, 52, of Vegreville and Ricky Robinson, 55, of Spruce Grove.

The Chisholm family also released a statement on Saturday: “He died too young doing what he enjoyed with his sledding buddies.”