OPSEU/SEFPO expresses our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jeremy Verdiel, Local 623 President and member of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC), who unexpectedly passed away on March 28, 2026.
Jeremy is fondly remembered by members of Local 623 in Sudbury and the MNR MERC in the touching messages that follow.
Local 623
Local 623 lost a friend, a mentor, a leader, and a genuine gentleman on March 28, 2026. Our hearts ache for his family’s loss, MNR’s loss, OPSEU/SEFPO’s loss, and to be honest every single Province, Territory, and Country he has served fighting and investigating wildland fires. He has touched and made lasting impressions on everyone that has ever met him.
Jeremy will be remembered as someone who truly valued connection. He approached life with sincerity and a genuine appreciation for the people around him. Whether through friendships, family bonds, or simple everyday interactions, he had a way of making others feel seen, heard, and respected. His presence was steady and comforting – never loud, but always meaningful. He has left a profound void in our community, and we hold his memory with deep respect and gratitude.
Jeremy’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment will continue to guide us as we move forward in his honour at Local 623 in Sudbury.
MNR MERC
Our MERC Team will remember Jeremy as someone truly special. He had an incredible mind, but what stood out most was how he used it: not for personal recognition, but to lift others up and help everyone succeed together.
He cared deeply and was always the one who wanted us all to get along. He was a genuinely good and kind person, he wanted the best for everyone and believed that progress came through understanding, patience, and respect. He was always eager to help, always searching for common ground, and always willing to find the most respectful way to agree to disagree.
Everything he did at our table was less about himself and more about creating a win for everyone else. He was endlessly inquisitive, always curious about the “why,” and never shied away from a meaningful debate – especially when it led to better understanding. His keen eye for safety and his care for his peers showed just how deeply he looked out for those around him.
He leaves behind a legacy of respect, curiosity, fairness, collaboration, and kindness. His presence made our team stronger, conversations richer, and workplaces better. He will be remembered not just for what he knew, but for how genuinely he cared – and that is a gift that will not be forgotten. He will be remembered fondly and missed deeply by every very single person who had the opportunity to engage with him, but especially those of us at that MERC table.