FRIDAY, January 13, 2017
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
A25
Obituaries & In Memoriam Leonard Alexander Wal The family of Leonard Alexander Wal are saddened to announce his passing on January 4, 2017.
Shirley Gray
After attending school, he completed a Carpenters Apprenticeship in 1958. He worked in several areas of BC doing construction, teaching transit/ level and slip form construction, coordinating Carpenter upgrade and detail drafting. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 1540. He was a NAUI scuba diving instructor from 1967-1994 and taught hundreds of students in the Kamloops and Vancouver areas, as well as doing commercial diving for 14 years. Many of his students became lifelong friends. His last job was at the Kamloops Pulp & Paper Mill, retiring in 1994. He thrived on humour and told many a joke. Although he suffered a stroke in 1995, he was still able to enjoy an annual fall vacation to many wonderful parts of the world until 2014. Following a fall at home in 2015, he became incapacitated and required care at a facility until his passing. Len and his family very much appreciated and thank the staff for their care and kindness received at Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops and Jubilee Lodge in Prince George. For anyone wishing to honour Len, please consider a donation to the SPCA.
Bruce was an outgoing, very social and generous man and loving husband and father, who passionately enjoyed working with the Kinsmen organizations in each of his communities, that his Father, Trevor Thompson co-founded in 1920 in Hamilton, Ontario. He was proud of his work as a Bank Manager with the Royal Bank for over 30 years and was a loyal Calgary Hitmen Fan. Upon retirement from Royal Bank, Bruce worked for CCH and earned the proud title of Top Producer in North America. Bruce was predeceased by his adoring wife and best friend Sandy Thompson (Powell) in 2005 and brother Dr. Trevor Thompson of Kingston, Ontario. Bruce is survived by his loving son Ken Thompson (wife Brenda Fisher) of Coldstream, BC and daughter Kelly and nephew Brandon and niece Ashley of Calgary, Alberta. He is also survived by his sister-inlaw Patricia of Kingston, Ontario, sisters Anne Louise Stark of London, Ontario and Elizabeth (Liz) Lindsay of Ontario and by his loving friends Ted and Norma Garnett of Penticton, BC.
George arrived in the Kamloops area in the mid 1960’s. He owned and operated Dominic Lake Resort for a time, then purchased Knouff Lake Resort. He was also owner/operator of Falcann Septic Service and Portable Toilet Rentals from the mid 1970’s until his death. George was on the Cattle Drive Committee in its first couple of years, 1991 and 1992. George’s passion when he wasn’t working was racing his pony chariot and chuck wagon teams at Barriere and other locations in the province. One of his other passions was dancing....several nights a week.
He will be deeply missed by many numerous dear friends and colleagues in each community he lived and worked in and by his loving family.
A Celebration of George’s Life will be held later in the Spring when travel conditions are better. We will do it George style......lots of food, music and dancing.
Memorial donations may be made in Bruce’s name to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Association at www.alzheimer.ca or 20 Eglington Avenue West, 16th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Kamloops Stroke Recovery Club, 957 Desmond Street, Kamloops, BC V2B 5K7.
First Memorial Funeral Service
April 28, 1934 – January 2, 2017
Fred peacefully passed away at Ridgeview Lodge in Kamloops on January 2, 2017. Fred was born on April 28, 1934 in Saint John, New Brunswick. He came to Vancouver with his parents in 1946. After marrying his wife Lena in 1955, they eventually purchased and managed the famous Spuzzum Café and Gas Station in 1981 where Fred self proclaimed to be the Mayor of Spuzzum. He would sit and preside at the trucker’s table, where they were subjected to tall tales of Fred’s Bus Motorhome called “City Slicker”. Twenty years of helping to wait on tables, doing dishes and entertaining tourists he received the “Good Host” pin from the then Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Bill Bennett in 1981. He also had the honour of signing the British Columbia book of 2000. After the loss of the business due to a fire, Fred and Lena moved to Kamloops, where three of their children reside. Fred was predeceased by his daughter Debra Jane, his sister Norma Jean and his beloved grandson Ryan Langley.
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Estate Fraud Protection
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Fred Simonson
George W. Gorrill of Kamloops, BC passed away peacefully on December 19, 2016. George was born in Chicago and when he was an infant his family moved to Saskatchewan and subsequently to the Creston area of BC where he was big brother to his four younger sisters. He is survived by his loving wife Barb Gorrill and stepsons Darryl Faustman and Gary Faustman, and by his children Donna Gorrill, Bradley Gorrill, Derrick Gorrill, Tammy Midtunn and Darcy Gorrill. George was predeceased by his daughter Cathy and his infant son Brian. Survived by loving sisters Doris, Shirley, Marlene and Janine and survived by his grandchildren, great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Schoening Funeral Service 250-554-2429
George W. Gorrill
Bruce Thompson of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 05, 2017 at Bethany Care Home in Calgary, Alberta. Born on July 27th, 1936 in Hamilton, Ontario. He lived most of his life in British Columbia and Alberta.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn of 59 years, son Glen and grandson Griffin. Len was born on May 23, 1936 in Rossland, BC and moved to Kamloops in 1945. He lived in Kamloops until May 2016 when he moved to Prince George to be closer to Glen and Griffin.
A Memorial Tea will be held in memory of Shirley Gray on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Colombo Lodge, 814 Lorne Street, Kamloops, BC.
Allen Bruce Walden Thompson, 80
www.dignitymemorial.ca
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Fred is survived by Lena his wife of 61 years, his two sons Clarence and Ken (daughter-in-law Maryann), his two daughters Jo-Ann (Rob) and Jeanette (Christopher), also eight grandchildren Jillian, James, Nolan, Catie, Claire, Kenneth, Courtney and Erin who will dearly miss her grandfathers stories, also two great-grandchildren Lillian and Billy. The family wishes to express sincere Thank You to Dr. Howie and special Thank You to the wonderful staff and caregivers at Ridgeview Lodge Orchard Walk their dedication did not go unnoticed. Fred enjoyed their constant care and attention till the very end. There will not be a service at Fred’s request. Should you wish to make a donation in his memory, The S.P.C.A and Salvation Army were always dear to his heart. Cremation entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Service. 250-554-2429. Condolences may be expressed at www.firstmemorial.com
Johann (John) Follweiter It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Johann (John) Follweiter at the age of 92. John was born on July 31, 1924 in Sajk So Evan, Yugoslavia. John immigrated to Canada with his family on April 3, 1929 when he was four years old. The family started a mixed farm and orchard in the Brocklehurst area. The family was one of the original Pioneers in the area. During his life John was employed as a mill worker in Kamloops at Savona Timber and at the Tranquille Farm. In later years, he was a driver for the Budget Car Company which enabled him to see much of the province. John was involved with Missouri Synod Lutheran Church for many years. He was Confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Brocklehurst, then attended the Church of the Good Shepherd in North Kamloops where his love for singing saw him involved with the Church Choir and until his death was a member of the Lord of Life Church in Valleyview. Left to mourn are his wife of 61 years Emily and their four children Darlene Fontaine, Warren (Kathy), Wendy (Dennis LaBrie) and Glen (Marni), seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, his brother Fred Vollweiter (June) and sister Teresa (Tracy) Sjodin as well as many nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn are cousins in Germany. John is predeceased by his daughter Maureen Annette, parents Jacob and Katherine, his brothers Jacob and Henry, sisters Katherine Desrosier and Evelyn Hart. John was happiest when he was out working the land with his hands. He was a very good farmer and a natural mechanic, he could fix almost any kind of motorized vehicle even though he had no formal training. When his health began to deteriorate, they sold the family home in Brocklehurst in 2006 and purchased a townhouse in Westsyde. Over the years the family spent many happy days camping and fishing. They also enjoyed several trips to visit relatives across Canada and in the U.S. John especially enjoyed a cruise to Alaska for their 50th Anniversary also a bus tour which included a ferry trip to Prince Rupert, onward to Prince George by train and home. His last year was spent at The Hamlets in Westsyde where he was receiving care. A Funeral Service is to be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2481 Sunset Drive, Kamloops, B.C. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 2:30 pm. Refreshments to follow. Schoening Funeral Service in care of arrangements.