Lorne Douglas Villani, May 4, 1962 - May 26, 2014
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lorne Villani. Lorne is survived by his loving parents Don and Rina Villani, his brother Robert (Cindy) Villani and his two precious nephews, Cole and Rylan Villani. A true testament to Lorne’s life is his many close friends whose lives that he touched over his 52 years. Although there are too many to list, he is survived by a special friend, Laurie Norman.
Lorne was born in Powell River on May 4, 1962. Soon after he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. At that time, the average life span of a child born with CF was five years. This diagnosis never deterred Lorne from living life to its fullest. He loved sports and enjoyed playing soccer, baseball, basketball and later on golf and hockey. Lorne also enjoyed his time up the lake at the family cabin “Twin Joy,” where he was totally at peace with himself and his surroundings.
Even though Lorne had CF, this did not stop him from helping Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raise funds to help all children diagnosed with this terrible disease. Though he was never comfortable as a spokesperson for CF, Lorne was an integral part of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Chapter and was recognized in 1996 for his efforts. Through his tireless efforts and those of his family and friends, Powell River was a leading community in Canada in fundraising for research to fight this deadly disease. Because of these fundraising efforts and the research it provided, the average age of a CF patient has been raised from five years to the mid-30s.
In the past two years, Lorne’s health deteriorated which necessitated a double-lung transplant on June 5, 2013. The transplant was successful, but in the end, Lorne succumbed to a virus. He prolonged the inevitable with his strong will to live. Lorne thanks all of you for your never-ending support.
His family would like to thank all of the doctors across Canada who have assisted Lorne and family through this 52-year battle.
Lorne’s strength and zest for life will be missed by all of his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 573 Nature Park Drive, Campbell River, BC V9W 7Z9.
Robert Walter Wick, March 12, 1926 - May 22, 2014
Robert passed away due to complications arising from Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years Lois, daughter Lynda, son Rob and their respective families. Robert is also survived by his best friend of over 84 years Rusty Peters. He was predeceased by his brother Harold in November 1996. He served in World War II in the army where he was injured and spent three years recovering in hospital.
A celebration of life for Robert will be held Saturday, May 31, at 2 pm at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831-28th Avenue, Surrey. In lieu of flowers we would appreciate a donation to your favourite charity or to Parkinson Society Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, suite 316, Toronto, ON.
Cynthia Joan Melan (née Agur, née Hole), September 2, 1940 - May 12, 2014
On May 12 we lost a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and best friend ever. Cindy was predeceased by her mother Madge Robbins, father Ted Hole and daughter Shauna Brown. She is lovingly remembered by her husband Les, daughters Lynda (Bill) Hopkins and Karen (Kirk) Jones, stepson Richard (Lisa) Melan and stepdaughter Maria Melan, 11 grandchildren and her sisters Sandra (Bill) Russell and Arvilla Theriault.
Cindy was an avid gardener and a creative knitter and seamstress. She loved her craft group friends of many years. Cindy and Les enjoyed many years of boating along the BC coast, traveling across Canada and several ocean cruises. She was her grandchildren's number one fan at all their sporting events.
A celebration of life will be held July 12 from 1 - 3 pm at Seaside Community Hall (Costin Hall), 7232 Lantzville Road, Lantzville, BC.
Our thanks to staff at Dufferin Place for their professional and compassionate care.
Janice Ethel Fidler (née Gibson)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Janice Fidler. She was born January 23, 1943 in Auckland, New Zealand, and passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Kelowna, BC on May 25, 2014.
Janice is survived by her husband and dear friend Grant, children Lisa Chapman, Brian Fidler (Emily Woodruffe), grandchildren Riley and Megan Chapman and Charlie and Jacob Fidler. She also leaves behind many loving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law (Glenn and Mary Fidler, Jim and Brenda Fidler, Ted and Janis Rodonets) and cousins in Canada and Australia.
Janice was the only child of Ken and Doris Gibson. They moved from New Zealand to Powell River, where Janice grew up, in 1947. Janice became a teacher and taught school in Lillooet and Burnaby. She married Grant Fidler on July 30, 1966. They moved to Kelowna in 1972. She spent many years with Girl Guides of Canada as a leader, commissioner, trefoil guild member and archivist.
Janice was a great communicator and letter writer. Throughout her life she kept those she cared about close to her through handwritten letters and cards. She was the family historian with every birthday, anniversary, important date and humorous family story right at her fingertips. She enjoyed camping, bowling, travelling and reading but, most of all, she loved being with her family.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Kidney Foundation of Canada, British Columbia Branch or Central Okanagan Hospice Association.
A memorial service will be held at Everden Rust, 1910 Windsor Road, Kelowna, BC, on Saturday, May 31, at 1 pm. Condolences may be sent online to the family.