Summary based on the NamUs case record (can2014001837) and
1 other sourceIn the early morning of September 29, 1979, a group of seven men, including Frederick Ursu, set out on what they anticipated would be a recreational fishing trip. They departed from Anama Bay, Manitoba, in three separate boats, with their destination being Warpath. The group of friends and family were navigating the waters as they had likely done before, expecting a day of camaraderie and sport.
The vastness of the Manitoba landscape and the unpredictable nature of its waters would soon turn this ordinary outing into a tragic event that would forever alter the lives of their families.
As the day progressed, the weather took a turn for the worse. The occupants of the first boat, who had become separated from the other two vessels, later reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that the waves had grown to a formidable three to four feet in height. In the turbulent water, they lost sight of the other two boats carrying the remaining five men, including Frederick Ursu. In a desperate attempt to make contact, they fired shotgun shots into the air, hoping for a response that tragically never came. By 7:30 p.m. that evening, with no sign of their companions, they officially reported them as missing.
The report of the missing fishermen launched an extensive search and rescue operation. Air, boat, and land patrols were dispatched to scour the area in a determined effort to locate the five men. Despite these exhaustive efforts, the search yielded a grim outcome. While the bodies of three of the men were eventually recovered, the bodies of Frederick Ursu and Jerry Hudy were never found. They are presumed to have drowned in the rough waters. The case remains a sorrowful chapter in the history of the area, a reminder of the unforgiving power of nature and the profound loss experienced by the families who were left with no final resting place to visit for their loved ones. The disappearance of Frederick Ursu stands as a testament to a day of recreation that turned into a permanent and heartbreaking loss.Last Seen: Sep 29, 1979
