The grieving family of Daniel Hurtubise say they will remember him as a hero and inspiration, and as a man dedicated to fighting diabetes.

The family issued a statement to the media Tuesday. 

"We are proud to say diabetes did not beat Daniel," the statement read. "He passed away as a happy man surrounded by his children and passionate up to the final moment."

Daniel, his two children, and a friend were on the "Ride of a Lifetime" hoping to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from Type 1 Diabetes.

But almost halfway through their cross-country journey, two of their lives were cut short.

The four cyclists were hit by a passing car on the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Virden Sunday afternoon.

Fifty-year-old Hurtubise from St.-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec was killed instantly. So was his 45-year friend from Kelowna, BC.

Hurtubise's 16-year-old daughter, Sonia, and 19-year-old son, Alex, were also struck. They were taken to Virden hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The group had left Vancouver's Stanley Park on June 14. They planned to cycle to St. John's Newfoundland by August 12, and to raise $500,000 for diabetes research along the way. All that changed in a moment.

RCMP say the cyclists were hit from behind by a Honda Civic that was also traveling east. Police closed the highway and diverted traffic during their investigation. The driver of the Honda Civic, a 27-year-old Virden man, was not injured.

RCMP are continuing their investigation, they say alcohol is not considered a factor in the crash.

It's believed the cyclists were to meet with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at the Assiniboine Park on Canada Day.

The "Ride of a Lifetime" was the culmination of two years of training, according to the family's website.

Saturday night Sonia wrote the last entry for their trip on the website's blog:

The sun is shining it's a beautiful day. Each cyclist is looking at their odometer and cannot believe that we have covered 2,000 km since the launch in Vancouver. Tonight we have celebrated that special occasion around a good table at a very nice restaurant in Moosomin. Tomorrow we will enter in Manitoba. ... We have received donations from people who heard our interview on the radio. Thanks and please keep on supporting our cause...

It is support she and her family will need now more than ever.

Dozens of letters have been coming in through the site, sending thoughts and prayers.