Peter Henry Black
March 17,1939 - October 7,2016
“Gone fishin"
Pete was born and raised in Powell River. He joined the United States Navy after high school and following many adventures abroad, he returned home to live life to its fullest: golfing, fishing and boating with close friends.
He later became a Life Master at bridge. He worked as a union carpenter in the mill for most of his work life. Pete spent many years honing his skills, trolling the lakes and ocean up and down the coast. The thing that brought Pete the most joy was passing on those skills to the next generation so they could experience what he had known and loved his whole life. Whether it was freshly caught salmon, prawns and crab or vegetables he had grown in his own garden, Pete couldn’t give enough away to the people in his life. As described by his brother Ian, he was generous to a fault.
We, your family and friends, love you, Pete. Thank you so much for all the great memories and everything you have given us. You will be greatly missed and warmly remembered always.
A big thank-you to Dr. Burns and to the nurses in the oncology unit and on the fourth floor at Powell River General Hospital. Donations in Pete’s name to Powell River Hospital Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.
Patricia Frances Cochlan
July 5, 1930 - October 4, 2016
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Frankie. She died suddenly and unexpectedly while walking close to her Kitsilano home in Vancouver. She will be greatly missed by her four children Karen, Terri (Phillip), Bill (Bev) and Bob (Liz), her grandchildren Delaney and Lindsay, her brother Harold (Alice), her sister Doreen, the extended Cochlan and Carson families and her many friends.
Frankie was born in Fort William, Ontario, to Ethel and Herbert Carson. As a young teenager, she, her sisters June and Doreen, and brother Harold moved to Powell River, where they attended Brooks High school. While at Brooks, Frankie was a member of the Upper Island championship women’s basketball team and worked summers at the Royal Savary Hotel. At 23, Frankie married Jack Smith Cochlan and started a family in the butterfly-shaped house on Marine Avenue in Westview.
After her husband’s early death at 38 years of age, Frankie continued to raise her four children while working for MacMillan Bloedel. Following her retirement, Frankie moved to Vancouver where she resumed her position as the loving anchor of the Cochlan family. Frankie greatly enjoyed walking, gardening, reading, volunteering for those less fortunate, and watching her granddaughters grow up to be lovely young women.
Frankie was a devoted and strong mother. She was a role model for not only her own children, but also for those who had the pleasure of knowing this thoughtful, happy and gracious woman. Frankie will be remembered for her inner strength, determination and positive energy. Her sarcastic wit likely was noted by some, but her kindness was felt by all. Her love for and dedication toward her children was enduring and extended to their spouses and friends. We will miss her deeply, but Mom understood Helen Keller’s belief, “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
A remembrance of Frankie’s life will take place in spring 2017, her favourite season.
Victor E. Cole
June 18, 1936 - October 12, 2016
Born in Quesnel, Vic came to Powell River in 1943 with his father Clarence, mother Sarah, brother Bill and sister Patricia. He died peacefully at home in his sleep.
Vic played sports with gusto, coached his son’s teams and enjoyed watching sports on television. He loved music, especially classical and opera, and listened to music to relax. An avid outdoors man, he loved biking, fishing, hiking, photography, climbing and skiing. Vic felt at home in the mountains. As an Air Cadet he obtained his private pilots’ licence. He loved flying, which lead him to build his Osprey 2 airplane. Vic was well known for his lifelike wood carvings of people, birds and animals and for his wood turnings. He also ventured into carving rock. He was also known for his quick wit, his keen sense of humour, his risqué jokes, his animated story telling and his love of a great laugh.
Vic is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Corrie (Rob), son Scott (Michelle), grandson Mason, granddaughter Emily and a large extended family and many good friends.
From our family, heartfelt thanks for their caring and help go to Dr. David May and Dr. Blake Hoffert, as well as the palliative care nurses, physiotherapy, occupational therapists and the home care staff.
A celebration of Vic’s life will be held Saturday, November 5,
from 1-4 pm at Myrtle Point Golf Club. Please bring your favourite memorabilia and stories about Vic to share with everyone. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Powell River Community Health Centre-Palliative Care Program, third floor, Powell River General Hospital, 5000 Joyce Avenue, Powell River BC, 604.485.3310.
Ronald Herman Johnson
1955-2016
With sadness in our hearts, we write of the passing of Ronald, of Powell River, at the age of 60.
Ron was predeceased by his loving parents Ruth and Herman Johnson. He is survived by his siblings Donna (Neil), Lynne (Glen) and Mike (Chris), as well as many nieces and nephews he loved deeply.
Ron grew up in and around the Powell River area before spending 30 years working at the pulp and paper mill. He had a fond love of music and movies. We will miss him dearly. A celebration of life for Ron will follow at a later date.
Gone but not forgotten.
April Dorothy Wynn Wells
1943 - 2016
Mom was amazing! She knew her mind and never hesitated to speak it. She was deeply loved by her three daughters Dee (Anderson), Tara and Cosima and her grandsons Jack (Anderson) and Tao (Buterman). She was like a second mom to many of her daughters’ friends and she will be truly missed by the folks she sang and jammed with in Kimberley, Victoria, Lund and Haida Gwaii. April loved to party, dancing, drumming and singing well into the night. She was passionate about social justice and the environment and gave generously of her time and expertise in many volunteer roles. In lieu of flowers, please grow more veggies or consider a worm composter for your kitchen. Mom wanted us all to be more food secure and she would be thrilled that we are getting the word out in her obituary.
To commemorate her life, April wanted a party with lots of food, music and dancing. Anyone who has words to share is invited to speak. Kids are welcome, of course! The party takes place Saturday, November 5, at 4 pm, at Marysville’s Resker Hall (660-307th Avenue, Kimberley). Condolences may be left for the family at markmemorial.com.