BERLINGHOF, BILL (William H.) passed away peacefully on August 14, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by family members and his best buddy, Beech, by his side.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Joanne, daughters Betty (Ron) Barthel, Theresa (George) Fritz, sons John (Sheila) Berlinghof and Larry Berlinghof. Bill leaves behind his wonderful grandchildren, Marcus and Tyson, Jeff, Laurie and Robbie, Shawn, Chris, Samantha and Cheryl and great grandson Ryan. Opa will truly be missed. Bill will also be missed by his brother Elmo (Margo) Berlinghof in Surrey and his brothers in Germany, Rolf Weber and Dieter (Uli) Berlinghof. He also leaves behind numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews most residing in Alberta.
Bill was born in Schwetzingen, Germany on September 24, 1932. He immigrated to Canada after the war in 1952 and landed in Calgary, Alberta and then moved to a slightly warmer Vancouver, BC. In 1967 Bill moved his family to Nanaimo and started B&W Refrigeration with his partner Jerry Wright. Cancer and a back injury forcing an early retirement. Bill and Joanne spent many happy years with their family and friends at their lot on Horne Lake. More recently they both spent many more happy times with friends at Buttertubs. Bill was always ready to roll the dice or play a game of nickel up. Dad enjoyed his weekly Bingo at Buttertubs where his favorite ladies were always ready to serve him coffee and lunch.
The family would like to thank Dr. R. J. van Rensburg and the home care nurses that helped us keep Dad at home for as long as we were able. We would also like to thank the caring nurses, staff and volunteers at the palliative care unit at NRGH.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Vancouver Children’s Hospital Foundation or the NRGH palliative care unit at the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation office. They need your support for their dream renovations.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2006 at the Buttertubs Social Centre, 10 Buttertubs Drive at 2:00 pm.
My dearest husband, our wonderful Daddy, the greatest Opa in the whole wide world ... we will really, really miss you!!!