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Francis; Fritz; Gawley; Hewitt; Orpen

Charlie Francis It is with heavy hearts and loving memories that we say “see you later” (emma-wegah) to Charlie “Papa” Francis.

Charlie Francis

It is with heavy hearts and loving memories that we say “see you later” (emma-wegah) to Charlie “Papa” Francis. Charlie died peacefully from natural causes surrounded by his family and close friends at Powell River General Hospital on November 5, 2016, at the age of 87 years.

Charlie was born at Church House, Homalco First Nation on December 20, 1928, to parents William and Mary Francis. He was the oldest of four siblings: Mary (aka Mable), Madeline (predeceased) and Herman. Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 66 years Elsie Francis in 2013 and his son Brian in 1964.

Charlie is survived by four generations of children Steve (Helen), Alvin (Rose), Connie (Don), Doreen (Jimmy) and Gloria; grandchildren Carey, Guy, Jason, Leslie, Gina, Brandy, Lori, Allison, Trisha and Craig; great-grandchildren Monica, Tyrell, Rianna, Adam, Danielle, Megan, Elizabeth, Kyle, Alyssa, Cedar, Hunter, Chael, Connor, Wiley, Tegan, Tia, Stacee, Ethan, Rhys, Destiny, Justice, Kevin, Justin and Alexis; and his great-great grandchildren Kayda, Lennox and Paxton. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family.

We would like to thank all the medical professionals for their support and empathy through this journey, including Dr. Lynskey, Sara Mitchell-Banks, Tla’amin Health nurse practitioner, all the MSP nurses and staff on the fourth floor at the hospital, and Richard Louie, Tla’amin Health.

We would like to respectfully thank Bill Barnes and Klahoose First Nation and Tla’amin community members for the food platters at our family’s time of need. We also thank Mavis Coupal and Homalco First Nation for their love and support.

A wake will be held at Tla’amin Salish Centre at 4 pm on November 13, and a funeral service will be held at Church of the Assumption at 10 am on November 14.

Emote.

 

Fritz

We are sad to announce the passing of Uncle Fritz, a mostly misunderstood legend of Powell Lake.

Born Franciscus Spreeuw on October 4, 1946, in Haarlem, Netherlands, passed peacefully on September 11, 2016, at Powell River General Hospital.

Fritz was predeceased by his father, mother and three of his brothers. He is survived by his son, four brothers, countless nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.

If you lived in Powell River for a while, you most likely would have seen him riding his bicycle and towing a trailer with a dog or two tagging along, and wearing his body armour, as he called it: life jacket (also needed for his boat ride to Three Mile Bay) hardhat and foam knee pads for ear muffs, shoulders, elbows and of course knees. If you lived in Wildwood, on Powell Lake, or along his route, you would have known him personally. If his looks didn’t scare you away and you happened to talk to him, he would happily tell you his life story and it wouldn’t be short. Thank you to all who helped him enjoy his life and in his passing. 

We love you, Fritz. Rest in peace.

To share some of the memories, stories and fun times you had with Fritz, a drop in celebration of life gathering will be held at the Red Lion Pub in Wildwood on Saturday, November 26, from 1-4 pm.

 

Herbert Glenn Gawley

Herb passed away suddenly on October 22, 2016, at the age of 76. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years Sharyn Gawley, his daughters Laura (John) Passek, Kim (Steve) Bartfai, Jo-Anne Gawley (Scott) and Michelle Gawley (Rob), six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

No service by request. See you this summer for a barbecue and dance to honour Herb, as he loved entertaining everyone.

Donations can be made in Herb's name to Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association or Powell River Trail Riders Club.

 

Anthony Roy Hewitt
August 21, 1925 - September 14, 2016

Roy Hewitt passed away peacefully in Powell River on the evening of September 14, 2016, after a brief illness. He is survived by his two remaining children, Lawrence and Alison (Mark).

Roy was born in Southport, Lancashire in August 1925, where he spent his childhood and school years. He was an avid athlete, becoming captain of both the first nine and the first eleven during his later school years. (You can just look that up). At the age of 16, he met Doreen Redmond, a dynamic, high-spirited girl, and while war and a term in the Royal Navy patrolling the Adriatic Sea intervened, she remained the love of his life until the day he died. They married in Roby, near Liverpool, in 1948. Two boys, David and Lawrence, were born in Lancashire during the time Roy worked as a bobby with the Lancashire Constabulary.

With the advent of the Suez crisis in 1956, they decided to emigrate to Canada, and came directly to Powell River in 1957. Alison was born in the Powell River General Hospital the following year.

Roy worked as an electrician with MacMillan Bloedel for the remainder of his working life. He was active in those early years with the Boy Scouts and as a parent with the Highland Laddies Pipe Band. He loved to go out dancing with Doreen, and they spent many an evening at Hitching Post square dances, dances at the Legion or Dwight Hall or taking ballroom dance classes.

After retiring, Roy loved to go fishing and hiking in the bush, and with a couple of buddies, he rounded up a few other retired guys to help build a trail and a small footbridge. So the BOMB Squad (Bloody Old Mens’ Brigade) was born. Roy reaped the benefits of fresh air and exercise and enjoyed the camaraderie as the group grew. Shep, Roy’s devoted border collie, was a constant companion on those outings. Many others still enjoy the activity of the BOMB Squad as it continues to thrive.

Roy and Doreen traveled extensively in their retirement, with many trips to the UK with friends, to New Zealand to see relatives, and of course to Hawaii, which they loved. In the seven years since Doreen passed away, Roy has lived quietly at home with the Cat, not able to get about as briskly as before, but with a life full of memories; a life well-lived.

We would like to thank the many friends and helping hands who have taken care of Roy over the last while, particularly the staff of Community Health, who helped Roy stay in his home, Dr. Rossouw and staff, whose compassion and concern were a constant reassurance, and the staff of PRGH and Evergreen, who looked after him at the end.

A simple gathering for friends will be held at Stubberfield’s on Thursday, September 29, at 3 pm.

 

Shirley Orpen (née Malnick)
June 1, 1937 – October 30, 2016

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Shirley Orpen. She passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 30, at the age of 79, with daughter Debbie and granddaughter Erin by her side.

Shirley is lovingly survived by her daughter Debbie and sons Ken (Sheila), Rob (Teresa) and Stuart (Kristin), grandchildren Kris (Jen), Erin, Kelsi (Jeff), Daniel (Emily), Alison (Jeff), Reed and Lee, as well as six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth and son Timothy Dale.

Shirley was born in Powell River, where she met and married Ken. They settled on Texada Island, where they spent 18 years raising their five children. Then Ken took a job with Cassiar Asbestos Corporation, which took them north to Cassiar and Kitimat, and then to North Vancouver.

Shirley enjoyed time with her family and the various activities they were involved in. In 1995, Ken and Shirley retired to Nanaimo.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. No flowers please. Condolences may be sent by visiting oliversfuneralhome.com.