Timothy Bosma tragedy paints picture of beloved family man, churchgoer

As the investigation into the death of Ontario's Timothy Bosma proceeds, we continue to see a more complete vision of Dellen Millard, the only suspect to be named in Bosma’s abduction and death.

We know he is the heir of a family-owned aviation company, that he owns plots of land in the Waterloo area and that it is believe that he and another man test drove Bosma’s truck on the night he disappeared.

Less is known about Bosma himself, the local family man who police say was the target of an abduction that would launch a week-long search across southern Ontario and end tragically when his remains were found, burned beyond recognition, near Waterloo.

But the small snippets of information the public has learned about Timothy Bosma have painted a loving family man and churchgoer who worked hard as a private contractor to provide for his wife and young daughter.

[ Related: Dellen Millard charged with murder of Tim Bosma ]

They paint a proud and respected citizen of Ancaster, Ont., near Hamilton, who was so appreciated by his community that a grassroots search began the moment he disappeared from his family home.

What we know about Timothy Bosma helps us understand the hole his death will leave in the hearts of many, from those that loved him to those that are just now growing to know him.

“Our faith in God is keeping us strong and has been getting us through the last few days. We ask the community for continued support and prayers,” his wife, Sharlene, said in a tearful plea for his safe return shortly after his disappearance.

“Tim is blonde and blue-eyed. When he gives a big smile, which he does frequently, he has dimples in his cheeks. He has a dimple in his chin, the same one our daughter has. He loves to tell jokes and if you ask his nieces and nephews, they’ll tell you what a huge pest uncle Timmy is.”

Hamilton police confirmed on Tuesday that Bosma had been targeted. But we already knew that. We knew that police allege he was specifically contacted, through a phone number he had left in an online advertisement.

Another man looking to sell a similar truck told police he believed he was similarly targeted the day before Bosma disappeared. The Hamilton Spectator reports that a suspect in his death already owned a Dodge Ram – an earlier model of the truck at the heart of Bosma’s disappearance.

Perhaps it is more accurate to suggest police believe Bosma’s truck had been targeted, perhaps it is not. The investigation continues and one man in custody has been charged with first-degree murder.

Dellen Millar plans to plead not guilty to the charge, his lawyer told reporters on Wednesday. He added that the full story has not come out. Police continue to search for at least two more suspects.

[ More Brew: First-degree murder charge in death of Timothy Bosma ]

Nothing in the 32-year-old father’s history has led police to believe he was connected to anything illegal. Bosma has no criminal record, and Chief Glenn De Caire said he has had no previous run-ins with authorities.

He was a churchgoing man, whose family lived a short drive from Ancaster Christian Reformed Church, where he and Sharlene were married in 2010. The Toronto Star reports the congregation of 450 people played a large role in the search.

The family frequently attended services at the church and it was the site of several prayer vigils during the search for Bosma. A little-used Facebook page includes a message offering support for the search efforts.

According to CBC News, Bosma had attended Ancaster High School and, not wanted to stray too far from his family, chose to stay in the community when he began his own construction company.

The things we know about Bosma help us understand, if only a little, the loss his death has brought to his community. Friends and neighbours have tried to make the public understand the extent to which the man was loved.

It is hard to fathom the loss. Harder still to fathom how we would cope with such a loss in our own lives.

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