James (Jim) Andrew Betteridge, November 7, 1946 - July 6, 2015
We are happy to wish Dad well as he sets out on his final fishing trip: a couple of beers, his favourite plug, smooth water and the boat pointed west to his secret fishing spot.
With his family by his side, James (Jim) Andrew Betteridge passed away peacefully on July 6, 2015 after a brief, but courageous, battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). We are honoured to have had such a loving husband, father, Papa, son, uncle, and friend in our lives. Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years Nancy, his three children Andrew (Leigh) of Richmond, BC, Deanna (Lindsey) of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Elizabeth (Chris) of Nanaimo, BC, and the special little people in his life, his grandchildren Micah, Nathan, Myelle, Cameron and Kailani. He is also survived by his mother Elva, his siblings George (Joan), Ken (Lynne), Carl (Donna), Bruce (Debbie), Dorothy (JP) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Dad was predeceased by his father Allan.
Jim was born in Bethany, Manitoba where he grew up on the family farm before starting his career as a lineman with Manitoba Hydro. He and Nancy were married on November 19, 1971 in Minnedosa, Manitoba before moving to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in 1974 to work for BC Hydro. They intended to stay for only two years but fell in love with the West Coast, staying for 13 years in Haida Gwaii where they celebrated the births of their three children before transferring to Powell River, BC in 1987. He was a lineman with BC Hydro for 34 years and proudly retired in 2007. After his retirement Jim joined Midway Power and happily replaced power poles on sunny days and restored power to customers on stormy ones. He worked hard all his life, enjoying the social aspect of work and looked forward to truly experiencing retirement. Although it was cut short, he enjoyed his brief retirement, travelling with Nancy, fishing, golfing, curling, hunting, and spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He capped off his own sporting career with a second-place finish with Team Massullo at the British Columbia Masters Curling Championship in 2009.
Our home has always been open and welcoming where everyone is greeted with a smile, a beverage and a couple of laughs. Dad left an impression with every encounter, chance or planned, and you always had his full attention (unless a hockey game was on, of course). He was a strong community supporter, lending a hand wherever needed. He proudly coached his children in baseball and hockey and supported us in all of our sporting, education and life ventures. We knew he supported us 100 per cent and never doubted that he would be there to lend a hand, a hammer or an ear. He taught us the importance of family through his words and actions and we plan to honour his memory by playing card games, family time, family vacations and lots of FaceTime with Gigi.
A church service will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 2 pm at Powell River United Church.
A celebration of life will also be held in Manitoba at the end of August, dates and location will be confirmed.
A big thank you to Dr. Lynskey and the ALS Society of BC for their care and support. A special thank you to Dad’s incredible friends for being there to support him—you’ve taken kindness and friendship to a whole new level.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s team name “I’d Rather Be Fishing” with the ALS Society of BC.
Roderick Henry Brian Banks, July 2, 1969 - June 26, 2015
Rod, the youngest son of Clark and Aileen Banks, brother to Calum, father to Abigail, step-dad to Kianna, and missed by their mother and his good friend Rebecca Banks, passed away suddenly on June 26, 2015.
He leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who all remember him with love.
Rod was a man who did everything on his own terms and lived life to the fullest. He loved all sports with a special passion for soccer, hockey, baseball and golf.
Family and friends were very important to Roddy. He will always be remembered for his laughter, humour and great storytelling.
Rod will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
A celebration of life will be decided at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Rod’s name may be made to Mindcheck c/o BC Children’s Hospital Foundation 1.888.663.3033.
Terrie Lee Stewart, May 26, 1965– July 2, 2015
Terrie Lee passed away early Thursday evening after a long, but courageous, battle with leukemia. After her affairs were in order and she had given us the opportunity to say goodbye, she smiled and slipped away peacefully.
Terrie will be sadly missed by her beautiful son, Jordan Kramchynski, mom and dad, Annette and Brian Stewart, brothers Tony (Lori) and Vincent (Julie), nephew Max and niece Alyse, forgetting not Terrie’s faithful Labrador cross Jack, as well as numerous extended family members, dear friends and many, many others whose lives she touched.
The surviving family would like to offer a very heartfelt thank you to all for your kind words, loving support and prayers in our time of need.
We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation and warm regards to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at both Powell River General Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 3 pm at Faith Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oncology Department or The Bruce Dennison Bone Marrow Society in her loving memory.
Thanks and may your God be with you.
Karen Shelly McCausland, March 1, 1965 - June 30, 2015
It is with sadness that the McCausland family says goodbye to Karen. She is remembered by her mother Kathy, sister Stacey (Steve) and brother Kelly. Karen enjoyed reading, playing cards, roses, drinking tea and Dancing with the Stars which was her favourite TV program. Now she is dancing with the stars, and we know that will make her happy, but we will miss her.
Dorothy Frances Rigby, January 19, 1953 - July 5, 2015
Dorothy Frances Rigby passed away on July 5 at home with her husband by her side after an eight-year battle with ALS. Predeceased by her parents Roger and Rotha Blackwell of London, Ontario, she is survived by husband David Rigby, daughter April (Dave) Janzen, stepdaughter Anwyn (Gord) Rigby, siblings Meg (Darryl) Hoppe, Kim (Jackie) Blackwell, grandchildren Emma, Alyssa, and Sadie as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was born January 19, 1953 in Peterborough, Ontario and as a child moved to Windsor and then later to London. In 1973, she graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in London, soon after moving to BC where she nursed in Victoria and Alert Bay. In 1979, she went to the UK where she became a certified midwife. She then returned to BC taking a nursing position in Powell River, working as a maternity nurse, bringing many lives into the world. She later became a surgical nurse working in Vancouver and Powell River as well in Palm Springs and San Francisco as a contract nurse.
Dorothy was a woman of many talents. She was a green thumb gardener, a talented do-it-yourselfer, and a brilliant cook. She enjoyed staying active while she was physically able. She had a great love for her pets, and would be out on the trails and beaches with her dogs, continuing on in her wheelchair as her disease progressed.
Loved and respected by many, she will be sorely missed. A celebration of her life will be held July 15th, from 5 pm to dusk at the Palm Beach Gazebo; dress should be casual and colourful. Donations can be made in her name to the ALS Society of BC or a charity of your choice.
Donna Riley-Hanowski, September 13, 1962 - June 18, 2015
In loving memory of our beloved cousin, niece and friend, Donna.
Left to mourn are her devoted husband of 20 years, Klaus, along with many family and friends. Donna was a child of the Townsite, and she had many wonderful life-long friends there, friends that are so saddened, as we all are, by her sudden passing. Donna was a woman of courage, strength, devotion and loyalty. She stood by her husband’s side through sickness and never complained about her own health battles. Donna had an incredible sense of humour, one that was unique to her. I can hear her laughter now, so joyful, and it was in that spirit that she kept plugging along, even in dire circumstances.
Thank you Donna for being a part of our lives - we will miss you always. I’m sure Grandpa has the crib board out and ready to go! Until we meet again! xoxoxo