Alfred Paul Pern

July 6, 1916 - May 7, 2019
With great sadness we announce the passing of Paul Pern at the age of 102.
Paul was borne in Botley, England and was the eldest of four boys, all of whom predeceased him. In the 1930’s Paul moved to Sri Lanka to work for his uncles on a tea plantation. He joined the British Army at the outbreak of World War II and served his country for the duration of the War. He returned to Sri Lanka to continue his tea planting career, after a brief holiday in England. On board the ship he met the love of his life, Peta, and they spent the next 51 years together.
After immigrating to Canada in 1951 Paul pursued a variety of careers from working in a saw mill in Port Alberni, farming in Genoa Bay and Qualicum Beach, running an orchard in Oliver, managing a cattle ranch at Twin Lakes near Penticton and managing motels and apartment buildings. Paul was also a skilled carpenter although he never had any formal training in this field.
Paul is survived by his only daughter, Jenny (Barry); his grandsons, Wesley (Niki) and Jeffrey (Melissa) and three wonderful great grandchildren, Shayna, Adalyn and Isaac.
Paul was a huge part of his family’s life and will be sadly missed by them.
We would all like to thank his doctor, Theresa Elliott, Cowichan Valley Lifeline, the paramedics and all the staff at Cairnsmore and the Cowichan Valley Hospital, for the compassionate care he received during the last 2 months of his life.
Paul would ask that you donate to a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.
A memorial service and tea will be held at First Memorial in Duncan on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 1 pm.