November 26, 1934 - November 6, 2022
Our dad passed doing one of his favorite things, peacefully sleeping. He also lived life to its fullest. A trickster, a joker, and most of the time a very funny man.
As a young man he found the love of his life. A partner and mother that died far too young. He missed her very much.
They lived in Calgary where he joined the Army Reserves Scottish Infantry. He took great pride in learning to play the bagpipes, and wearing all the formal attire that went with it. Whenever called upon he would happily play at family weddings and many public events. This is where his love for music really began. His special love for jazz opened doors for more learning. His guitars and flutes were among his favorite things, and playing for others brought him a lot of joy. Then he found his voice and began to sing. Music consumed most of his retired years.
In 1963 our parents moved to Vancouver Island. They both worked hard to support their growing family. He was a small town chicken farmer, an accountant, a farrier, then a mill worker with many special skills.
Among the challenges of work, they also had a family hobby farm. Their love for horses and dogs, took all six of their children, and an adopted few, on many memorable adventures. Camping on horseback, competitions, dog shows, volunteer duties, or just out for a family ride on Christmas day.
As we all grew up our parents enjoyed traveling the world, entertaining friends, and sharing many garden campfires with their ever growing family. Fifteen grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins, enjoyed many potluck dinners or a cup of his famous eggnog.
Dad found peace in his last months of life. Sharing that his greatest pride were his children. Their successes and their families. He would count on his fingers how many great and great great grandchildren he had. " I believe it is twenty four" he says. "There is not enough time to get to know them all."
Some family traditions will endure and with our stories that we share, all will get to know a funny and hardworking grampa, fuller than life and generous with his commitments.
He will be missed and can safely say loved by all.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Danielle and her team for helping navigate the challenges of age. We would also like to thank Sands Funeral Chapel for preserving the dignity of our father and friend.
We will celebrate his life in the spring of the coming year, where we can share some stories around a campfire that he loved so much.