A new CN railway crossing sign bearing the name of Juver Balmores stands in honour of his memory, a lasting legacy for his wife Ria and children, Julien, 9, Jace, 7 and Jade 4.
On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, exactly one year following the CN employee's death from a head-on collision with a commercial transport truck near Birch Island just outside of Clearwater, CN officials hosted a moving memorial to honour the young husband and father of three.
His family was present for the memorial surrounded by fellow CN employees, co-workers, officials, family, friends and local first responders from the Blackpool Fire Rescue.
Approximately 80 guests witnessed the unveiling of the new sign in Birch Island by the Balmores family for the emotion filled event remembering Juver as a kind, family-oriented, dedicated employee and friend to many.
"The Balmores ceremony was attended by three members of Blackpool Fire Rescue and we were there to pay our respects to the family. CN did a very nice dedication to Mr. Balmores along with bringing in the CN Veterans Memorial train as well," Blackpool Fire Rescue fire chief Mike Savage told the Clearwater Times,
Juver, who was 36-years-old at the time of his tragic death, was driving a company truck when it collided with the transport truck at around 12:50 a.m. on April 23, 2024. His co-worker and passenger, who wasn’t identified, was injured and taken to hospital while the passenger in the semi-truck also died in the crash. The crash drew attention once again to the multiple fatal collisions and safety issues that have occurred in recent years on Highway 5, many involving commercial vehicles. It was a stark reminder that brings to the forefront the continued calls on government to increase safety measures along this busy corridor.
"Juver quickly endeared himself to his colleagues with his kindness, dedication and unwavering commitment to his work. His passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him, within the CN Rail community and beyond," said United Steelworkers Union 2004 president, Cole Kramer in a statement issued on the day after the crash.
A former police officer in the Philippines, Balmores married the love of his life, Ria a former university instructor also from the Philippines who had immigrated to Canada ahead of him.
"The kids don’t want me to be far away since we lost their daddy," she said in a recent interview with Black Press. "He was always happy, just wanting to be with the kids. I miss his humour, his cooking, he always forgot himself putting the kids and I first. Even when he was tired, for me he was perfect.”
