Obituaries: May 24, 2013

Floyd Robert Byles, October 6, 1941 - December 4, 2012

A celebration of life will be held for Floyd on May 25 from 1 to 4 pm at 8093 Hwy 101, Myrtle Point.

It is in great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Jim Nelligan. Jim made many friends while he lived in Powell River and didn’t get to say goodbye. If you would like to share a memory of Jim, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 25 at 11:30 am at the pub in the Cranberry Hotel. Bring your smiles as Jimmy would not like to see you cry. No service by request.

Beloved wife of “Red” Robin Lambert, Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 21, 2013.

She is survived by her four children Bill (Kathy), Robin (Susan), Carol (Cindy), Maureen (Allan), eight grandchildren Robin III, Heidi, Heather, Brian, Krista, Jacqueline, Collin and Sean and 10 greatgrandchildren.

Mary was a stay-at-home mother who loved to sew, knit and put up sweet preserves. She took pride in knitting and sewing for all her children and grandchildren. Mary was active in the Catholic Women’s League and enjoyed extensive travelling via boat and camper with Red. She loved to read and enjoyed taking movies and photos of family events.

The family would like to thank the staff at Olive Devaud Residence for making our mother feel safe and comfortable.

There will be a prayer service on Monday, May 27, at 6 pm at Church of the Assumption and funeral service will be held at the church on Tuesday, May 28 at 10:30 am.

Almer passed away peacefully with his family by his side. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Soon after he was born in Hillside, Howe Sound, his family moved to Stillwater to work for the McNair Shingle Company. He always loved working and living in “the bush” and he built his family home in Douglas Bay from the timber he felled on the property. This home has been the centre of family life for the last 60 years.

Almer leaves his wife Norah and his three children, Norah-Lee and her husband Phil Beauchemin, Rod, and Cam and his wife Maria. His two grandchildren Alexi and Daniel were the joy of his life. He also leaves behind his sister Ina Lloyd and her family Laurie, Lois and Ron and his sister June’s son Gordon.

Many thanks to the wonderful team led by Gail McNabb who looked after Almer while he was at home, to Dr. Dohm and nurses on the fourth floor of Powell River General Hospital who gave him special and loving care.

There will be no service at Almer’s request but a celebration of his life will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, a memorial tribute may be made to the Powell River General Hospital Foundation.

Margaret was raised on a farm in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and resided in Powell River from the age of 15. Margaret was unfailingly devoted to her family and always provided generous and loving support to each and every one of us. She was active in many community groups over the years, from school parent groups and the figure skating club, to committees for the 1945 and 1946 Brooks Secondary School 50th joint reunion and fundraising for the hospital hydrotherapy pool. She took great pleasure in her pet dogs, music, flower gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our beloved mother was predeceased by her husband of almost 54 years, Ian. She will be deeply missed by daughters Vicki (Randy) and Wendy (Louis); sons Bill, Donald (Tamara), Ken (Barb) and Laurie; grandchildren Ramon (Tammy), Rick (Heather), Kristie (Kris), Tia (Rick), Ben (Allison), Michelle, Aaron (Yue), Robin, Tracy (Luke), Shawn (Jordan), Paige and Molly; great-grandchildren Baillie, Joey, Julia, Natasha, Logan and Benjamin; and her beloved dog Chetty.

No service by request. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a future date, yet to be decided. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for the Powell River SPCA or another charity close to your heart.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Michel on April 30, 2013. He leaves behind a whole bunch of people who loved him dearly, his spouse of 17 years Linda Cosentino, son Miguel (Donna), stepsons and stepdaughters David Kahn, Lydie Jessome, Patrick Cloutier and Christina Bagan, grandchildren Derek, Keely and Keira, five brothers Léo (Lyne), Normand, Daniel, Serge and Louis (Valérie), three sisters Nicole (Yvon), Francine and Carole (Jean), sisters-in-law Diana, Sylvia, Gina, Carole and brother-in-law Gino, many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his very closest friends he cherished and respected Randy Davies, Ivan Rosypsky, Grant Eliuk, Bruce Bicknelle, Clermont Mimeault and many other friends and co-workers.

Michel was a sweet and generous soul who was always available for a friend in need whether it be for a construction project or an ear he could lend to comfort and encourage someone. Linda was the love of his life and she loved him back, Michel was her hero. He cherished his family and his grandchildren were precious to him. He also loved, enjoyed and was proud of his home, his property and his garden for which he had dozens of projects.

Michel will be sadly missed but will live on in our memories and in our hearts. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Goodbye my love, may you be in peace and we will reunite again one day.

Linda

Deane’s ship set off on its final voyage on “opening day,” May 9 at 3:10 pm.

Born in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan on May 22, 1945, he moved with his family to Cranberry in 1949. Growing up there he formed many bonds and friendships that he still had to this day. In his late teens and early 20s Deane travelled around Europe for two years, returning to Powell River where he worked in many of the local bars and mill.

He met his wife in 1974 and they went on an adventure around BC that started in Toba Inlet and they finally settled on their acreage on Plummer Creek Road. Deane was able to pursue his great love of fishing and went into the prawn fishing industry, saying it was the best life ever. He especially loved the fact that his son and daughter could both spend time with him on the boat and in the off season he was able to spend lots of time with his children working the land, chasing the mushrooms and out in the salal patch.

Deane pursued many interests in his life touching many lives and forming life-long friendships with his sincere caring nature. He was a cherished husband, father and Opa to his wife Dymph, son Kyle (Corinne), daughter Rachel Ann (Kelly), grandchildren Luke and Matty, Tyler and Lily. Deane had very close ties with his cousins, sister-in-law Margaret (Larry) and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Uncle Deane was the best and they all remained close.

He was a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving man who made people feel special as he strived to live life to the fullest. He especially loved the hunting trips to northern BC and just going out fishing for the morning or evening bite. We, his family, are very thankful to have had this gentle loving man in our lives and he will forever remain in our hearts.

The family would like to give special thanks to all the health care workers, first responders and ambulance crew who helped out when we needed them, you all showed such amazing compassion and care to Deane. Also, thank you to all the friends and family who came to visit or sent prayers and love to Deane during his final days here at home.

There will be a celebration of Deane’s life Sunday, August 11 at 2 pm at Craig Park.

“To know him was to love him”

“I live my bucket list every day”

It is with great sadness that the family of Harold Long announces his sudden passing. Son of the late Bert and Augusta Long, Harold was born and raised in Powell River and was a respected businessman and community leader.

At the age of 17, Harold earned his pilot’s licence and began his lifelong passion for flying. All who knew him knew his zeal for politics and he proudly served two terms as an MLA in the BC Legislature from 1986 to 1991 and again from 2001 to 2005.

Harold’s other interests included hunting, fishing and anything associated with the outdoors. He will be missed by all who benefited from his unparalleled generosity, his keen sense of humour, his creativity and his sage advice.

His infectious smile and laugh were widely shared and to Harold a stranger was simply a friend he hadn’t met yet.

As much as he loved flying, the “art of politics” and the outdoors, Harold’s greatest love and pride were reserved for his family to whom he was devoted and for whom his love was unconditional and uncompromising. For all that Harold gave to his children, they would agree that his greatest gift to them was his unsurpassed work ethic.

Harold is survived by the love of his life Mary Lynne, the mother of his children and his lifelong friend Bev, children Brenda (Kelly) and Kathleen (Al) of Victoria, Phill (Cheryl) and Craig (Kim) of Powell River, Corine and Cindy (Noah) of Victoria. Harold had a special spot in his heart for each of his 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Denise (Tony), Stu (Polly), Annette (Felix), Lou (Dolly) and Roy and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Bert and Augusta and brother Gary.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Friday, May 31 at 1 pm at Dwight Hall, 6274 Walnut Street,  Powell River.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the research department at BC Cancer Society.

It is with great sadness that the family of Gordon Lamont announces his sudden passing.

Gordon is predeceased by his father James Lamont. He is survived by his loving and devoted mother Jean, his partner Lisa, children Cory, Kate (Rob), Marissa and Samantha, brother Derek (Loreen), sister Diana, grandchildren Jordyn, Justin, Emma and Summer, niece Megan and nephew Adyn, as well as his closest friends in Powell River.

Gordon’s charismatic personality and gift of conversation made him a friend to countless people along the coast of BC. He loved soccer, being on the water and his Scottish heritage, but his love for his family and friends was unsurpassed by anything. Gordon lived his life with passion and on his own terms. He was loved deeply by his family despite the roads travelled throughout his life.

Gordon will be deeply missed by all who truly knew the kind, loving man that he was. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 26 at 2:30 pm at Powell River Town Centre Hotel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Powell River SPCA.