Owen Joseph Jones, July 30, 1924 – May 11, 2011
Flight Sgt. Owen Jones has opened the hanger doors and taken his last flight.
Owen was the beloved husband of Shirley, father of Murray (Lynda), Warren (Marcelle), Candy, Greg (Jen), Mike and Paul (Sandy), along with 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his stepmother Audrey Jones. He was predeceased by his father, Lt.-Col. Hubert Murray, mother Imogene and brother Lt. Hubert Murray.
Owen was born and raised in Belleville, Ontario, and like most of his generation, joined the armed forces at the age of 18. He served overseas in World War II as a tail gunner on a Lancaster bomber. After more than 10 missions, his plane crashed, causing him to spend the rest of the war in the burn unit of Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, England. It was here that he became a member of the Commonwealth Guinea Pig Club, so called because of the pioneering advances made in plastic surgery during this time.
After the war, he completed his education, and moved to Powell River to work for the Powell River Paper Company, where he met his first wife, Winifred, and started a family.
After relocating to North Vancouver, undergoing numerous life and career changes, Owen married his current wife Shirley on July 30, 1977. Owen and Shirley shared the same common interests, and love for life, bringing together two great families. They have spent the last 20 years in Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver Island, surrounded by the things they cherished the most.
Owen will be remembered for his passion for golf, excellent wine making, enjoying Shirley’s garden, travelling, friends, but most importantly, his beloved family. Owen was determined to discover his family lineage and spent years researching his family genealogy to be remembered and passed on for future generations. He was in the process of writing his amazing life story and biography, which is near completion.
We are going to miss his sense of humour, his practical jokes, big family sit-down dinners, and the endless
stories over many bottles of homemade wine.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be a private family celebration of Owen’s life. Donations to your charity of choice.
Doreen Douglas Sprague, May 1, 1925 - May 15, 2011
Doreen Sprague passed away at Evergreen Extended Care Hospital in Powell River, BC on May 15, 2011.
Doreen was born at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver on May 1, 1925 to parents William and Peggy (Evans) Black. She was raised in the Powell River Townsite and lived most of her life in Powell River. After graduating in 1943, she served in the Canadian Army in New Brunswick, and there in 1945 she met and married her husband of 26 years, David Earl Sprague. They returned to Powell River where through faith, hard work, laughter and tears they conducted the busy lives required to raise their four children.
Doreen is survived by sons Douglas (Cec) Sprague of Chilliwack and David Sprague of Powell River, daughter Kathy (Jim) Melsom of Halfmoon Bay, son-in-law Bruce Parsons (Surrey), eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-greatgranddaughter. She was predeceased by her parents, sister June, daughter Colleen and twin grandsons.
Thank you to all who helped Doreen over the years.
"Rest in peace, Doreen. You will be missed by your many friends and family members."
A memorial celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 28 at 1 pm at the Salvation Army Church, 4500 Joyce Avenue with Pastor Rick Robins officiating. Reception to follow.