Gerald (Gerry) Richard Woods, August 21, 1929 - December 13, 2013
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather (Pa), great grandfather and most devoted and loving husband to Carmel Marie Woods. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Brave and heroic, honoured and loved.
Born and raised in Bishop’s Falls, Newfoundland, he married his sweetheart Carmel Marie at the age of 23 and together they raised six children. Gerry was an avid hockey player, hunter, fisherman and card player! He and Carmel ran a restaurant, gas station and car sales business before moving their young family from Newfoundland to Vancouver in 1962. He went on to vocational school, earned his welding ticket and worked in the shipyards before making his home in Powell River in 1974, working as a welder for MacMillan Bloedel.
Gerry loved family and friends, his heart and home were open to many. To know him was to love him. He is needed now to share his smile and strong heartfelt hugs elsewhere.
He is our "Pa" and will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his parents Richard and Emma Woods, siblings Will and Florrie and his grandson Kelly.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 61 years Carmel Marie, his children Jim (Maureen), Patti (Frank) Nolan, Mary (Gary) Flagg, Terry (Linda), Kelly (Damian) Collins and Kerry, grandchildren Jamie (Kristi), Kristine (Jon), David (Jenna), Bryant (Kate), Kris, Laura (Cory), Clayton (Liz), Amanda (James), Crystal (Jason), Bryan (Kate), Nick, Braydon and Mykelti, great-grandchildren Keegan, Aaron, McKenna, Freya, Paige, Indie, Cayden, Cassidy, Emily and Charlie, extended family Cathy (Doug), Dale, Linda and children and many friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Nick White and the nursing staff at Powell River General Hospital for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Powell River General Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.
A celebration of his life will be announced and held at a future date.
"Come 'round any o'le time, make yourself at home."
Al (Ali) Wallace, July 10, 1928 - December 18, 2013
We mourn the passing of our mother, Al, who slipped away peacefully in her sleep in her 85th year, after a short stay at Powell River General Hospital.
Born at the family homestead near Luseland, Saskatchewan, Al was the second youngest of eight children. Her family relocated north to Penn during the Depression. As a young adult, she came out west to British Columbia.
Al was predeceased by Len, her husband of 55 years, who passed away in 2007. She is survived by her loving children Darryl (Young), Maureen (Bob) and Dale (Forest). She lives on in the spirit of her four grandchildren Nicholas, Matthew, Darren and Jessica. She will also be missed by her one surviving brother Vincent and many nieces and nephews.
Two years after marrying in June 1953, Al and Len moved to Powell River. Al worked for many years as a grocery clerk before and after the birth of her children and was later employed at Buckerfield’s. Al was involved with many local organizations, including square and ballroom dancing, Royal Canadian Legion, the seniors’ club, the seniors’ singles, as well as the crib and whist clubs. Those who knew her best, recognized her real passions: various pets, reading, sewing, gardening (especially the begonias) and of course shopping!
Al supported her children in all their athletic pursuits, serving on many committees and was always a champion of what was fair and right for everyone. She was very proud of the accomplishments of both her children and grandchildren.
The family would like to express gratitude to all of Mom’s friends who brought joy to her life, especially during recent years. She greatly looked forward to the good times you all shared. She was fiercely independent and with the assistance of Home Support, Mom was able to fulfill her wish to stay in the family home until her last two weeks. We appreciate everything that you did for her.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm at Stubberfield Funeral Home, 7221 Duncan Street with reception to follow at Royal Canadian Legion #164, lower hall, 6811 Alexander Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or Canadian Diabetes Association.
Rest now, Mom. We love you.
Mary Gertrude McCulloch, December 13, 1925 - December 15, 2013
Mary passed away at the age of 88 years old at Powell River General Hospital. She suffered from severe dementia during the last year of her life and had lost the ability to speak or recognize her family.
She was born Rosemary Gardner, in Malton, Yorkshire, England to George and Annie (née Boyes) Gardner. She was the sixth of seven siblings: George, Annie, John, Albert, Doug (Mary) and Alma. The family immigrated to Canada, April 1926, to Grenfell, Saskatchewan. When Mary’s father was killed in a farming accident, the three youngest children were adopted, as their mother’s health failed due to the tragedy. Mary was adopted by Walter and Gertrude (née Matthews) Yokum at the age of seven and was raised in the town of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. She loved her adopted father very much and often told the family stories of their life running the farm and local gas station and making deliveries of gas to the farms in the area.
Mary held onto the memory of her father all her life. On June 11, 1949, Mary and John McCulloch were married in Regina, Saskatchewan. They had two children, Walter and Wendy.
In 1956 they made the move to British Columbia which was on their bucket list of things to get done and celebrated 50 years of marriage in June 1999, in Powell River. John passed away May 2007. John and Mary ran their own full-service gas station “Dawson Shell” in Burnaby for many years.
Their last move to Powell River took place in 1993. Mary loved her home and garden and she was so proud of her neighbours and friends. She loved nature and would almost certainly befriend a bird that needed help and make it her buddy.
Mary is survived by her brother Doug and sister Alma; children Walter (Debbie) McCulloch and Wendy (Bill) Robson; grandchildren Roberta (Ron) LaQuaglia, Jodie Robson, Benjamin (Rebecca) and Tina McCulloch; and greatgrandchildren Kylea and Dawson Masters, Scarlett and Domenic LaQuaglia, Gavin McCulloch and John McCulloch (deceased). She is also survived by Sheila Swann and family and Evelyn Magson and family in England.
Mary was a passionate lover of music and loved singing and dancing. Her family hopes that she is busting her moves on the big dance floor in the sky and having one heck of a good time!
Our appreciation and respect go to the nursing staff of Powell River General Hospital fourth floor and Dr. Paula Ochoa Botero for her care and compassion helping us get through a difficult time. Thank you to Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department and the RCMP for their efficient professional services and “take charge” presence.
No service by request.