I would like to share a bit about dad's life ... he was a man of many talents!
Dad was born on a farm. However, his interest was more in fixing the machinery.
Dad was born on a farm. However, his interest was more in fixing the machinery.
Mom & dad married 70 years ago.
During World War II, dad was trained to work on diesels and stationed on the west coast of Canada to work on generators that ran the radar.Meanwhile, my older brother and I arrived. How is this for a fashion statement? 
We moved from Ontario to BC in 1950 and my younger brothers made the scene.
Dad worked for Detroit Diesel with several companies. During this time, he worked on the power plants for major installations: Kitimat-Kemano Aluminum Smelter power plant, the Deese Tunnel, many hospitals and ski lifts.
Dad was a master at inventing machinery to make a job easier. The photo is of a winch used to haul rocks up from the beach on a friend's summer property. He made and sold several wood splitters. We all benefitted from his work to refinish furniture, construct additons and help us upgrade our homes.
This is a photo of my dad's parents and siblings in 1968. My older brother and I have memories of summers on my grandparent's farm in Ontario.After retireing for the second time, dad and I decided to take an art course. He moved into the production of art and art equipement, a business he carried on for another 20 years. He made and rented panels for displaying paintings.
After seeing my Home Economics room with a demo table, he produced many for the province art clubs. 
Dad's favorite paintings were landscapes and heritage buildings. There are many in private and corporate collections.
He travelled to France, Antiqua and Africa. He was president of the West Vancouver Sketch Club and Arts Council. After the move to Maple Ridge, he was the president of the Garibaldi Art Club. Dad worked on the committee to bring a theatre and arts center to Maple Ridge. Dad was nominated for Citizen of the year in Maple Ridge in 2000. 
Dad also volunteered with the church in many ways. With his contacts, he arranged to have a diesel donated and he used it to power the Fircum United Church Camp.
Photography was another interest and he took part in the judging of gardens and his photos were published the the 'Western Gardener' magazine.
Did I mentoned that he was a great dad and grandpa?
Dad also volunteered with the church in many ways. With his contacts, he arranged to have a diesel donated and he used it to power the Fircum United Church Camp. Photography was another interest and he took part in the judging of gardens and his photos were published the the 'Western Gardener' magazine.Did I mentoned that he was a great dad and grandpa?
7 comments:
Dear Vivian:
I admire the life of his father, was really magnificent and I think it'll be very proud for that. Here we say ".. such as the father the daughter is ..". Now I understand better why, you have so much talent! Thank you for sharing memories of his dad dear friend and also the photos! It really was a great dad!
A kiss
Maria del Valle
Dear Vivian, I'm sorry about your Dad. Thanks for sharing these details of his life. I can see that he will be missed.
So sorry to hear about your Dad, Vivian. I can see that he was an exceptional person and I am sure he'll be deeply missed. My thoughts are with you.
Dear Vivian,
Your Dad was an easy man to work alongside, kind, quiet and right on time with advice when needed...like the concrete pour in the shed on the SE corner of your lot. I think he had more fun that day than any of the rest of us!!
His contributions to Camp Fircom were so valuable because it has always depended upon those who care to keep it operating year after year. I was a boys' camp counsellor there in 1959 and 1960 and know first hand. (My how time flies.)
In his memory, you must get the Austin Healey Sprite out of the garage and fire up that engine he rebuilt for you so many years ago!
Old Boar
Dear Vivian,
i'm sorry about your loss. May he be in a place full of canvases and pretty landscape paintings.
neki desu
God bless you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing such lovely memories of your father. Take care.
What a talented and vigorous person; he'll surely be missed by many. Thanks for sharing his story.
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