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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 3, 2013 | 4 Family resigned while waiting for post-mortem results continued from p.1 He said the remains of a person were discovered among the ashes early Wednesday morning, however, a post-mortem would be required for positive identification. Claire has little doubt the body is that of her husband. "We all know it's him, but it's not officially confirmed," she told the Beaver. "He'll be greatly missed. What I am so upset about right now is the fact my kids have lost their dad. It is just so sad... just so, so sad." Claire said Girard was born and raised in Oakville where he worked as a general contractor for more than 25 years. The last 10 years, Girard and Claire have worked together through their business Girard Construction Management Inc. Claire said restaurant construction was her husband's specialty noting the Oakville restaurant PLANK was one of his last achievements. Claire said Milestones restaurant, located in the Wyecroft Road and Burloak Drive area, was another of Girard's projects. "He was so proud of the finished product. He was a builder and to him showing a finished product brought him an extreme amount of pride and satisfaction," she said. "That's why he was so good at it ...we just took one project at a time so he could spend a lot of handson time and be there himself... he was a hands on guy... that's why we were hired because they knew Pierre would give all his personal attention to the project." Fire Marshal investigating Claire said Girard also loved working on the family cottage, which he had renovated after purchasing it six years ago. While he may have had passion for his work, Claire said Girard loved his children Alex, 22, and Lianne, 21, more. Claire said Girard had recently become closer with his daughter who was following in her father's footsteps and had carried out a number of jobs for Girard's business. Claire said Alex also worked with his dad and would often return home inspired by his father's skills and knowledge as well as his ability to develop solutions for Oakville resident Pierre Girard is believed to have perished in a devastating fire Tuesday at the family cottage near Peterborough, Ont. | photo courtesy the Girard Family work-related problems. Girard had just finished a major project, said Claire, and was heading up to the cottage with the family's chocolate Labrador retriever, Charlie, for some much-needed fishing and relaxation. Claire said she still had some work to do and decided to remain behind. At this time, no one knows how the fire started and the Ontario Fire Marshal's office is investigating. "I don't know anything. There was a fire and he wasn't able to get out in time," Claire said simply. "It was an old cottage. Wood inside and out, so it didn't take long for the fire to take the whole thing." After the fire, Claire said the remains of a dog were discovered lying next to that of a man. Police said foul play is not suspected. "He knew so many people in Oakville. He was so well-respected, both personally and professionally," said Claire. "This is just such a great loss. Just a tragic death." As of press deadline, funeral arrangements were not yet made.