A pair of weekend memorial services honored two correctional officers who shared a tragic fate and left a lasting impact on those around them.
Nicolae Serban, aged 57, was described as a cherished and amiable individual by institution warden Lillian Kordic at his funeral on Saturday. Colleagues and inmates from the Edmonton Institution for Women expressed their deep sense of loss for him. Serban enjoyed bonding over sports like hockey, football, soccer, and tennis during sports nights with friends and friendly matches with coworkers. Kordic highlighted his consistent positive attitude at work, stating that he always brought a smile to the workplace.
At the same venue on Sunday, Ramandeep Kaur Maan, 25, was fondly remembered by her brother, Kamal, as intelligent and brave. He shared how she protected him from bullies during their school days. Maan had aspirations of building a better life in Canada and her family made significant financial sacrifices to support her relocation. She had plans to bring the rest of her family to join her in Canada.
Tragically, Maan and Serban lost their lives in a collision on Aug. 6. The incident involved their Correctional Service Canada minivan and a box truck at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 41, about 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, according to the RCMP. The sole occupant of the box truck sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Another individual, 24-year-old inmate Kiara Mooswa from Poundmaker Cree Nation, also perished in the accident while being transferred to a different facility. The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) emphasized the importance of acknowledging Mooswa’s death and the need for accountability and compassion within the justice system.
Following Maan’s funeral, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada, Talal Dakalbab, praised her dedication to her duties. He emphasized Maan’s positive influence on numerous lives and her deep commitment to her role. Dakalbab recounted Maan’s ambition to bring her entire family to Canada and her pride in serving within the Correctional Service of Canada, encouraging others to consider a career in corrections based on her positive experiences.