Skip to content

Formosa; Gough; Hilleren; Hooff; Hugenschmidt; Louis; Wiebe

Vera Josephine Formosa Vera was born on the island of Malta on January 7, 1926, to Antonia and Joseph Cosaitis. She shared her childhood with siblings Mary, Paul, George and John.

Vera Josephine Formosa

Vera was born on the island of Malta on January 7, 1926, to Antonia and Joseph Cosaitis. She shared her childhood with siblings Mary, Paul, George and John.

Judging by most of her incredibly vivid stories, it was an interesting and exciting period of her life, until World War II broke out, in Malta, in June of 1940. Moments after war had been declared, 14 year old Vera, sitting with her girlfriends in a theatre watching a Bing Crosby movie, was to discover that her father's ship, HMS Glorious, had been sunk off Norway and he, along with all but a few dozen men, had perished.

Vera survived the steady bombing of World War II and all of the hardship and devastation that went with it. Soon afterward, in 1947, she met and married her husband of 51 years, Joe Formosa.

Vera and Joe came to Canada with their four children Tony, Joe, Natalie and Adrian and settled in Powell River in 1960. A fifth child, Paul, was born in Powell River in 1964.

Vera lived a full life in Powell River and was an active member of her community, doing volunteer work such as Meals on Wheels and child minding at the recreation complex. She led a very spirited,

active life that involved long walks, fitness classes and hours of swimming with her friend, Janet Bacon, at Willingdon Beach.

Vera was predeceased by her husband in 1998 and her daughter in 2014. She also lost an infant, Natalie's twin brother Noel, two weeks after his birth in 1951.

Vera will be dearly missed by her sons and their wives Diane, Susan and Trish, her seven grandchildren Tania, Justin, Joel, Celine, Carly, Hanna and Liam and five great-grandchildren Ryder, Alex, Brynlee, Olan and Oskar, as well as many other friends and relatives.

Vera’s Catholic mass will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, February 11, at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, 20675-87th Avenue, Langley, BC.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Canadian Cancer Society.

 

Susan Elizabeth Gough

Sue lost her fight with cancer on Tuesday, January 24, at age 70. She passed away peacefully in her home in Powell River surrounded by her family and friends.

Sue is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Gord, children Rob (Delane) and Tammy (Bob), grandchildren Mark, Jordan, Brooke, Ashley and Diesel and sister Maureen (Charlie), as well as her in-laws, cousins nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place for Sue from 1-3 pm on Saturday, February 11, at Lang Bay Community Hall, 11090 Highway 101, Lang Bay.

Memorial devotions may be made in Sue’s name to Kiwanis Club of Powell River.

Forever in our hearts.

 

Sophia Anne Hilleren
March 28, 1952 - January 23, 2017

It was with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great friend, Sophia, on Monday, January 23.

Sophia died peacefully, surrounded by her family, after her year long battle with cancer. We are pretty sure she was thinking about laying on a beach in Aruba with the sun on her face, sand in her toes and a rum punch in her hand.

Sophie is survived by her parents Anne and Jerry, her loving husband Ron, sons Michael, Greg and Rick, daughter Shawna and her husband Ernie, daughters-in-law Nikki and Rachel, brothers Ron, Lenny and Bradly, her Auntie Mary, four energetic grandchildren, many wonderful friends, her pup Jody, many cousins, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Sophie had very quick wit and a great sense of humour, which I’m sure many of you who knew her well can attest to. She loved her work as a medical transcriptionist for the medical clinic, Dr. Hoffert, Dr. Juszkiewicz and Dr. Howard, and took immense pride in it.

Sophie loved the simple things: a good book, family and friends, Wheel of Fortune, the sun on her face, two lobster tails instead of one, spending time with her “hubby,” playing with her pup Jody, travelling to warm places in the Caribbean, and a nice, cold Bacardi and Pepsi; it had to be white Bacardi and Pepsi.

The family would lastly like to graciously thank all of the nurses, doctors, and staff at the hospital who made Sophie’s last days as peaceful and comfortable as possible. The care you provided is unsurpassed. You are all saints and we will be forever thankful for all that you do.

Sophie is with her angels now.

In lieu of flowers, donations to BC Cancer Agency would be greatly appreciated

 

Barrie Hooff

Barrie passed away, at peace, on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, in Powell River, after a short illness. He was born on June 10, 1946, in Powell River, the town he loved and remained in as a lifelong resident.

A good son to his parents, Raymond and Irene Hooff, until they passed, Barrie enjoyed life with his siblings and nieces and nephews, all who proclaimed he was their favourite. When not at work in the mill, his time was spent producing fabulous vegetable and flower gardens and impressive woodworking.

In 1989, Barrie married Sandra Hooff and happily acquired nine stepchildren: Sherry Bullock, Casey Bullock (Renee), Kevin Hooff (Cynthia), Shalem aka Sam Hooff (Sarah), Sydni aka Pansy Bennie (Mark), Sequoia aka Joe Hooff, Deserie Hooff, Sara Mardis (Chris) and Gerritt Hooff (Pamela).

Barrie is survived by his wife, his stepchildren, multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his two other children (his dogs, Billie and Sadie), six siblings: Dennis Hooff (Anna), Yvonne Hooff, Brent aka Buck Hooff, Fran Behan, Diane Winton, and Valerie Karlsen (Bill) and their extended families, and his longtime best friends Mal and Kathy Campbell.

Immediate family who predeceased Barrie include his parents and two brothers: Raymond (aka Chuck) Hooff and David Hooff.

A celebration of his life will be held on Barrie’s birthday, June 10, at Powell River Town Centre Hotel; details to be announced.

The family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Marentette for her compassionate and attentive care.

 

Walter Hugenschmidt
January 13, 1930 - January 26, 2017

87 years strong! It was a valiant fight!

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather Walter Hugenschmidt on January 26, 2017, at Evergreen Care Unit.

Walter immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1951, bringing with him a strong, industrious work ethic. With one dollar in his pocket, he knew he would do well. Speaking only German, he embraced his new life with much zest and vigor and learned a few colourful words along the way.

Predeceased by his loving wife Mary of 61 years, they shared their life together settling in Prince Rupert, BC, then eventually moving to Powell River, BC. He was also predeceased by his sister Vreni Brandlin from Lorrach, Germany and survived by one sister, Waltruad Heinricher in Westendorf, Austria.

Working was his passion, he was extremely ambitious and worked tirelessly on many projects to completion, and he had an eye for detail. He owned and operated his business, Certified Welders, for thirty years with his son Robert (Bob). He was a master of his craft. He also worked at Macmillan Bloedel for many years and retired from the mill in 1989.

Left to remember him are his six children Ernst, Karl, Alexander, Elizabeth, Robert, Walter Jr. and grandchildren Patricia, Jennifer, Elaine, Colin, Robert and Darryl, and four great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of his life, Thursday, February 2, at 1 pm, Stubberfield Funeral Home.

Safe journey, Dad. Tell mom we love her and miss her!

 

Gracie Mae Louis

Gracie Mae Louis of Powell River passed away suddenly on January, 15, 2017. She was 19 years old.

Gracie was born in Burnaby, BC, on December 29, 1997. She recently graduated from Brooks Secondary School and the hairdressing course at Vancouver Island University.

Gracie is survived by her mother Leslee Mills-Le Blanc, father James Louis, stepfather Zane Salmond, brother Jamieson and sister Manaesha. She also leaves behind a nephew, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Our Gracie was the light in a room, always full of laughter, trying to live her life to the fullest and becoming a beautiful young woman.

She will forever be remembered and missed.

A public celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, February 4, at Westview Baptist Church.

 

Melody Charlene Wiebe (née Sidwell)
July 4, 1963 - January 17, 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Melody, only daughter of Robert and Margaret Sidwell.

Melody leaves to mourn her husband Cory, son William Taylor (Karamia) and two grandchildren: Zayden and Zilah. She also leaves behind her brothers Bruce, Stuart and Patrick (Leslie), nieces Charlene, Kristine, Denise, Breanne, Brenda, Phoenixx and Sierra, nephews Raymond, Keith and Blake, great-niece Jillian and great-nephews John, Mark and Weston.

Melody will be missed by all. There will be no service by request. Donations can be made in Melody’s name to the Canadian Diabetes Association.