Jessy had no military experience, but he volunteered in November to fight with the Ukrainian army. He worked as a drone mechanic and was hit by a drone attack that killed him instantly.

"He paid the ultimate price for Canada and Ukraine," said an emotional James Bourgeois, Jessy Bourgeois’ father. Jessy leaves behind two children, and his family says he will be remembered as a hero.

Global Affairs Canada says it knows 35 Canadians have died in Ukraine, but it does not keep a registry of Canadians who travel to Ukraine to serve, are injured, or are killed.

The lack of a government list means families and the public have little information about Canadians who volunteer abroad, making it harder to support them or their loved ones when tragedy occurs.