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May 9, 1933 – April 4, 2010

Dad chose to leave us in style- he passed away peacefully on April 4, 2010 at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice in Kamloops B.C. on April 4, 2010 ( Easter Sunday) with his sons by his side, a golf ball in his hand, and a bottle of Single Malt Scotch. He battled bladder cancer throughout the past year, always maintaining his humor and positively affecting everyone around him.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Kay, his son’s Ian, Michael and Andrew, daughter In laws, Brenda, Shannon, and Catherine, all of his grandchildren; Samantha, Logan, Luke, Emily, Ewan, Fraser, Liam, and Aliza. Dad is survived by his sisters, Christine, Greta, predeceased by his brothers, Campbell and Christopher, far too many friends to mention, and his dog Jesse.

Dad really lived, he loved, he laughed often and loud, and ultimately he made a difference in the lives of so many people.

He was born in the family farm house at the Jones farm in Lillooet B.C., and educated in Victoria at St Michaels University School graduating in 1949. His passion was farming, and he attended Olds Agricultural College. As a dashing young man and impressive dancer, he charmed my mother Kay at a dance in Lillooet in 1965- and married in Scotland October 16, 1965 with my grandfather John Symington as the minister presiding.

Dad started our family while travelling around B.C. building bridges, but came back to the family farm in Lillooet in 1971, which became our home.

His accomplishments were many and varied- he was an avid Scout Leader, the local Auctioneer, a leader in the Cattleman’s Association, active in local politics, becoming Chairman of the School Board, and a lifelong Liberal with many a fundraiser, election campaigns, and arguments in defense of Pierre Trudeau.

He had a love of golf, which led him to start Lillooet’s first Golf Course- The Sheep Pasture Golf Course in 1985- in 1989 he was featured with Wayne Rodstad in CBC’s On the Road Again. His loud laugh could often be heard booming across the barn yard from the Pro Shop.

Dad left the family farm in Lillooet in 2003, becoming part of Ian and Brenda’s family and farm in Cache Creek and then Lewis Creek.

My father had character; he was kind, loving, generous, opinioned, determined, a dreamer, a lifelong reader and learner, the least judgmental person I know, and someone who valued family and integrity.

Did he matter? …Yes

Will he be missed? …Very much so.

Good Bye Dad- We love you………

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Kamloops Hospice Society.



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