Gary Donald Michael Godfrey, November 18, 1953 - February 15, 2011
Loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, Gary passed away after a courageous battle with liver disease. He leaves behind his loving wife Mary-Lou, daughters Angela and Ashley, grandchildren Cooper and Kyla, stepdaughters Shyanne and Sierra, siblings Glenn and Julie, nieces Kiera and Alyssa and his mother Joan.
Sadly missed by all who knew him, join us for Gary's Grand Goodbye Gala (potluck) to be held at 1:30 pm on March 5 at the Italian Hall, Powell River, BC.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation.
You are a never-ending gift from God.
Randy “Buzz” Cripps, 1951 – 2011
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father and papa. He leaves behind his wife and best friend Ann, daughter Nicky (Lyndon) Haggarty, son Bobby (Niki) and his three beautiful grandchildren Tessa, Jetta and Jackson.
He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren first of all, fishing with his brother Chuck, and baseball, hockey and golfing with his buddies. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 2 to 4 pm at the Powell River Town Centre Hotel.
James Edward John (Jack) Hassall, June 12, 1919 - February 16, 2011
Jack slipped quietly away in the early minutes of February 16, 2011 to join his beloved Verna who left him behind four years earlier. The last year of his life was definitely his hardest after losing one leg in January of 2010, but he bore it with courage and a smile as he lived all his life.
The best years of Jack’s life were spent on Texada Island in the house of their dreams that he built for Verna, and with all the many friends – because to Jack everyone was a friend – that he made there and with all the family and friends who regularly trekked to Texada to spend parts of their summers in Gillies Bay.
Experienced business owners, Jack and Verna bought M&M Hardware in Van Anda. The store later became Vananda Hardware, and was home to Jack’s first bakery, featuring Jack’s famous honey-glazed doughnuts. After selling the store, he opened “Jack’s Shack” in a small building beside his home, offering baked goods and curios. Some people may even remember “Seaview Inn” in Gillies Bay, a restaurant run by Jack in the 1970s, that also supplied the Shelter Point concession that Verna ran for several summers.
Jack is survived by his son Robert Micheal (Marie) and daughter Gail Paquette; grandchildren Karin (Paul) Boulanger, Colleen Johnson, Philip Hassall, Janel (Mike) Vandergulik, Jackie Paquette; great- grandchildren Brandi Miller, Micheal Boulanger, Hayley Rutt, Luke Hassall, Noah and Olivia Vandergulik and great-great-grandchildren Karina and Jenna Miller.
Jack is also sorely missed by his extraordinarily good friends Lyn Bryant from Richmond and Jack Hobson and Yvonne Halverson of Texada who will treasure his legacy of loyal friendship forever.
Texada played a huge role in the life of the Hassall family after Jack and Verna adopted the island and a celebration of life will be held for Jack on March 19 at 1:30 pm at the Texada Legion. All who remember Jack are welcome to attend.
Donald Joseph Piechotta, December 21, 1918 - February 26, 2011
Lucid and quick witted until the end, Donald left this world as he had hoped, while sleeping in the comfort of his own home. After many years of suffering from emphysema, he is finally free from his struggle to breathe.
Don was born on a farm in Jamestown, North Dakota, and at the age of 11 his family crossed the border and resettled on another farm in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. The Great Depression forced him, as a young teen, to strike out on his own. The difficult years that followed honed his survival skills as he crisscrossed America “riding the rods.” WWII broke out, and he enlisted in the Navy, but prior to being shipped out, became ill, and was given a medical discharge and a return ticket home. Like many of his generation, the years of hardship left him yearning for a simple life. Not wanting to return to the Prairies he tore up his ticket, though he was unsure of where to go next. He heard there was work in a mill town up the coast and reluctantly came to check out Powell River. On the ferry he spotted his wife-to-be.
Don and June settled in the Townsite, where for over four decades during his employment at the mill, he made the trek up and down “that damn hill.” There they raised their children Dawn, Rick, Jill and Vicki. Sadly, their time together was cut short when June predeceased him in 1973 at the young age of 43.
Don’s passion for sports and zest for life kept him busy and fit. He firmly believed in the benefits of group sport, and how it built character and social skills. He was especially proud of his years playing semi-pro hockey and lacrosse in the Lower Mainland. Locally, he coached many teams, including track and field, and in his later years he enjoyed his time and friendships in the lawn bowling club. He loved to travel, even going to Europe in his 70s, but he was most content to enjoy a simple life here in “God’s country.”
Don adopted and fostered many strays over the years. He surprised many with his tenacity and was determined to make it through this year, yet days before his own passing his last remaining feline, his “little buddy” who had been his constant companion, passed suddenly. Don rallied for a couple of days, but in his fatigue the grief was too much. After a long and well-lived life Don surrendered to be with Our Lord. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
Special thanks to Dr. May, so fine a physician, whom all should be so fortunate to have.
Don is survived by three sisters, his children and their partners, three grandchildren, and four great-grandsons. Dad loved to joke and tell stories. Everyone is welcome to join in a celebration of his life on April 2 at 11 am at the Royal Canadian Legion 164.
Breathe easy and rest in peace Papa - ‘til we meet again “Cast your bread upon the water and so shall you reap.”