‘He had the demons, he had the voices:’ Kyle McInnis remembered for lively personality & giving back

McInnis was a multi-sport athlete, business owner/operator and longstanding volunteer.

He was most widely known for his connection to the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen lacrosse organization, whom recently retired his number 29.

Kyle McInnis was a victim of the province’s toxic drug crisis. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In addition to playing for both of Nanaimo’s senior level lacrosse squads, he also volunteered in a number of amateur sporting capacities, including years ago as an assistant coach with the VIJHL’s Oceanside Generals.

‘Madness’ had a hidden talent as an artist, a love for lacrosse, hockey and rugby, music festivals and occasionally dressing up in costumes.

He touched a lot of lives.

“He had a great time. He loved to dance, loved the get-ups, costumes, just having a wonderful time. I think we could all learn something from him on that,” Kyle’s father Robb told the crowd during a slideshow presentation.

Known as an enforcer in his playing days, McInnis hung up his lacrosse stick and settled into a support role as a multi-tasker with the senior B T-men.

McInnis was also bi-polar.

The stresses of running his own plumbing business took a heavy toll on him.

“He had the demons, he had those voices. Because he was so artistic his mind would sometimes go into hyper-drive and he couldn’t slow it down,” his father told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Robb McInnis extended his gratitude to the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen for the role the organization had in his son’s life. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

McInnis spent four months at a residential treatment facility, then relapsed and ended up homeless prior to his death.

Robb McInnis said pandemic restrictions and financial challenges keeping the senior B Timbermen off the floor for three years had a crippling effect on his son.

He said sports are an essential tool in stabilizing and improving the overall health of our youth.

“If you have kids in sport their mental health will get better, 100 per cent.”

Jason Dubyna was one of Kyle’s best friends.

They played lacrosse together, were previously roommates and were side-by-side behind the bench of the Oceanside Generals.

Dubyna said it was many years into their friendship before he learned Kyle was bipolar.

Dubyna said McInnis was highly respected throughout the Generals organization in the early 2010’s.

“The kids that maybe were more fragile, he connected with them and he was trying to help them along, but not helping himself….that’s kind of why we’re here,” Dubyna said.

Jim Kipp knew McInnis since when he was playing minor lacrosse growing up in Victoria.

Kipp later coached McInnis when he suited up for the Nanaimo Senior A Timbermen.

In addition to being detested by opponents and respected by teammates, how McInnis conducted himself off the floor is what always captured Kipp’s attention.

“He had that sparkle in his eye, he really cared about others.”

Kipp, a longtime fixture in the lacrosse community and a former Nanaimo city councillor, said McInnis will be sorely missed.

“Even when he retired from playing he was a key member of the Nanaimo senior B team when they went to Canadian championships. He was a stick repair person, he’d go out and wipe the floor, he’d clean up the dressing room,” Kipp said.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

‘He had the demons, he had the voices:’ Kyle McInnis remembered for lively personality & giving back

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