KANATA-CARLETON – Family and friends will celebrate the life of Kanata’s Ali Pey on Jan. 18, a victim aboard Flight PS752 who has a volunteer connection to West Carleton.

Flight PS752 was brought down by Iranian missiles Wednesday, Jan. 8 killing all 176 people aboard including 57 Canadians.

The plane crashed Jan. 8 after it was struck by missiles launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It crashed just minutes after it took off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, and only hours after Iran had launched a ballistic missile strike on two military bases housing U.S. and Canadian troops in retaliation for the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Eight of the Canadians were said to live in Ottawa. Pey, 48, was a father of two daughters, a Kanata resident working in the hi-tech industry as CEO of Message Hopper and a political activist who volunteered his time with Kanata-Carleton Liberal party.

During the 2018 provincial election, Pey assisted Carp resident and Liberal candidate Stephanie Maghnam by managing the campaign team’s internal communications using his Message Hopper technology.

Friends and family have organized a Celebration of Life for Pey Jan. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1315 Prince of Wales Dr., Ottawa.

“It is with our deepest sorrow that we invite you to join us in honouring the life of Ali Pey, a loving father and partner, and caring friend to so many,” organizers released in a statement. “Join us as we celebrate his life, share memories and remember a person who will be dearly missed.”