Albert Silvio Silvestrini
Albert Silvio Silvestrini, 68, of Powell River, passed away on Sunday, October 30, at Powell River General Hospital. Born in Floreffe, Belgium, to Erminio and Iolanda Silvestrini, he lived most of his life in Powell River. Albert loved his hometown and always referred to it as “God’s country.”
Albert worked for MacMillan Bloedel for more than 30 years, spending the last years of his career with the company in the mill stores. He was passionate about the outdoors. Fishing on Powell Lake was one of his favourite pastimes and he also enjoyed hunting and camping at some of the smaller lakes in the surrounding area. Albert took pride in his woodworking skills and his ability to fix anything, from cars to his grandson’s toys; he would always tell you, no matter what, to “Save the pieces!” Albert was always willing to listen to and help anyone who needed him.
Albert is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Sherry (née Whitson), his two daughters Gina (Spencer) and Sara (Russell) and his grandson Ryan. Also left to grieve are his sister Linda and her family, Jennifer (Greg), Maddison and Mercedes, as well as many other family and friends, both here and in Europe.
Funeral services for Albert will be held in Powell River on Saturday, November 12, at 1:30 pm at Church of the Assumption. A reception will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall beside the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Powell River Stroke Recovery Club (c/o Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 164, 6811 Alexander Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2A9).
Velma Jean Hay (née Washington)
July 22, 1919 - October 22, 2016
It is with great sadness we announce that our mother peacefully passed away of natural causes on October 22, 2016, in her 98th year.
Velma was predeceased by her husband Alex in 1979 and is survived by her three children Douglas (Margaret), Andrea and Murray (Marnie), her cherished grandchildren Rachel, Jonathon, Meghan, Simon and Michael and her great-grandchildren Josh, Andrew, Lucy and Henry.
Mum was born in Morton Municipality, Manitoba, and raised on the Washington homestead near the small town of Ninga, Manitoba. She was one of six children and is survived by her sister Connie Ranson of Victoria.
Mum trained as a nurse at Winnipeg General Hospital and was married in 1942.
In 1946, Mum and Dad moved to Powell River, where Dad worked for the Powell River Company (precursor to MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.). They lived there until 1969 when Dad was transferred to Vancouver.
During her years in Powell River, our mother was active in her church, enjoyed gardening, family boating, dancing at the "9 to 1 Club," skating at the local rink and raising her children.
Mum was a sports fan who enjoyed golfing into her 80s and watching curling on television (a legacy from her Prairie playing days). She had an adventurous spirit and in later years travelled extensively throughout the world.
Our mother was a welcome presence in her grandchildren's lives and stayed connected with them throughout her life. Mum was an easygoing, very social and loving person and will be very much missed by family and friends alike.
The family would like to thank her caregivers at Amica West Vancouver (Elsie and Maybelle), the nurses and staff at Lynn Valley Care Centre and her personal physician Dr. Kathleen Bell-Irving, all of whom gave her such wonderful care.
As per her wishes, a private family celebration will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Brian Jackson
It is with heavy hearts and wonderful memories that we say goodbye to Brian Jackson.
Brian died peacefully at home after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He could kick the heck out of a soccer ball but could not kick this disease.
Brian was born in Liverpool in 1939, the youngest and most mischievous of seven children. He spent his younger years biking to Wales, hanging with his mates and courting the love of his life, Marge. In the 1970s, they packed up his Elvis records and immigrated to Canada to find a new life.
Brian worked for many years at the mill and was well known for his love of soccer, darts, lawn bowling and questionable jokes. He loved to make people laugh and always had a funny story to tell. Brian and Marge loved to travel and shared 55 years of adventures and memories.
Brian is survived by his wife Marge and his daughter Gaynor. He also leaves behind one brother, Billy, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved to tease but completely adored.
We would like to thank all the wonderful medical professionals who supported him through this journey, in particular, Janet White, Sheena Fraser and Giselle Reyes. A special thank-you to our angel, Delma
An informal celebration of “The Life of Brian” will be held on Saturday, November 5, from 2-4 pm at Powell River Lawn Bowling Club. Friends are invited to come and share a story or two and raise a final glass in Brian’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.
Kenneth Rae Langford
June 30, 1934 - October 6, 2016
We are so sad to tell you today that our lovely and much-loved dad died recently. He constantly amazed us with his true grit and determination to live another day even though his heart and body had worn themselves out.
On the day he went to the hospital, just a few days before his death, he somehow managed to walk his weary, aching body the few hundred feet he needed to so he could see his wife of 62 years, Maxine, once again. He did this faithfully every day, no matter how hard it was, no matter how short of breath he became. The picture you see here is Kenneth sitting down on the little cement wall he needed to use to gather his strength and get some air before he completed the walk across the street to see our mom. Later this very day he was rushed to the hospital and he died a week later.
Through the years he lost his oldest child and only son Dean and his oldest daughter Dawn, and many others whom he loved very much, including his younger siblings June and Lloyd. Kenneth is survived by his wife Maxine and three other daughters Deanna, Kathy and Karen and his son-in-law David, whom he simply called "Son.” His grandchildren Connie, Joshua, Kenneth, Sarah, Dyllon and Zackary miss him too and great-grandchildren Alyssa, Tristin, Kaitlyn, Hayden, Mira, Isla, Mason and Sawyer were able to spend time with their great-granddad even though they all live away.
Dad was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and moved to Vancouver when he was five, then to Campbell River in 1947 at 13 years of age. He moved us all to Powell River in 1968 to start up his own business but decided he wanted to return to Campbell River after his heart attacks and subsequent bypass surgery, so he and Mom moved back a few years later and lived there ever since.
We are having a celebration of his life on Saturday, November 5, at his daughter Deanna and son David's house at 1901-15th Avenue in Campbell River. Please join us between 12-4 pm that day to remember and honour the man who was and will always be Kenneth Rae Langford.
Flowers are not necessary but your memories and stories would be most treasured and appreciated. Please come and share with us. Thank you so much to everyone who made our dad's life a little brighter, a little happier and abundant in love.
With love, Deanna, Kathy, and Karen.
Linda Diane McLaughlin
May 28, 1949 - October 22, 2016
Linda is now at peace after a brief but valiant struggle with brain cancer. She leaves behind her loving husband Dan and daughter Katharine (in Kuwait).
Linda was born in Vancouver and graduated from John Oliver Secondary School. She moved to Prince George and continued her studies at College of New Caledonia. She returned to Vancouver and worked at Woodwards, Pacific Western Airlines, Canadian Airlines and Unifiller Systems.
Linda met Dan in 1974 and they were on their journey, living and making friends in the Lower Mainland, Cluculz Lake, Mesa, Arizona, and Powell River.
Linda had a wonderful outlook on life. She was cheerful, thoughtful and charitable. She enjoyed many crafts and hobbies, golf, gardening, boating (Loafer Five), fishing, whale watching, cooking, entertaining and most sports, especially the Powell River Kings.
Linda's favourite bird, the eagle, was her source of strength during her final struggle.
A heartfelt thank-you to the nurses and support staff on the sixth floor at Vancouver General Hospital, fourth floor at Powell River General Hospital, Willingdon Creek Village and to Dr. Brad Schweitzer.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, November 18, from 12-4 pm at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 164 in Powell River. Donations toward a park bench in Linda’s honour would be greatly appreciated.