The wife of a popular Vancouver Island teacher killed in a hit-and-run has made a heart-wrenching appeal for the person responsible to come forward.

Evelyn Bally found the body of her husband Paul in a ditch near Fanny Bay after the 48-year-old didn’t return home from a bike ride Monday evening.

Police say the 48-year-old was struck by an older-model Ford pickup truck and left for dead.

The cyclist was wearing reflective clothing and had bike lights when he was struck.

Through tears, his grieving widow appealed directly to the driver, saying she believed her partner may have survived if they remained at the scene.

“What if you had stopped when it happened? What if you had have just called emergency? He might still be here,” Bally told a police press conference Wednesday afternoon.

“Instead you left him in the ditch for me to find, in the mud. For hours and hours.”

She described Bally as a very strong and healthy man who was a guiding force in their family. He leaves behind two small children.

“Who will teach my son to be a man? Who will walk my daughter down the aisle? Who is going to help me raise my children? He was my rock,” said Bally.

Paul Bally taught French at Lake Trail Middle School and was also a volunteer firefighter.

The school suspended classes the day after his death to “allow staff and students to absorb and react to this tragic news.”

Grief counsellors were brought in to provide support.

“At this time we want to express our condolences to Mr. Bally’s family and wish them the best at this very difficult time,” a statement on the school’s website reads.

The popular teacher worked at the school for the past 17 years.

Police are looking for a 2002 to 2004 Ford F250, 350 or Excursion.

Both RCMP and the family are asking the driver to come forward, and anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

“Please let our family have closure,” Evelyn Bally said.

“This is still a very big shock to us. I can’t believe that it happened.”

“The family is experiencing a tremendous loss,” said Sgt. Mark Whitworth. “It only makes it worse when the driver remains hidden.”