October 20, 1922 - July 9, 2018
Dad died peacefully after a short illness. He was 95 years old and had experienced a life full of a good mix of travel, family and friends. He was predeceased by father William, mother Mary Ann and siblings Alec, Bill, Jean, Annie and Norah. He is survived by children Denise (Larry), Karen and Jamie (Diane) and 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Dad was the only member of his family not born in Greenock, Scotland. His family emigrated shortly after the First War and settled in North Vancouver. His father suffered from the effects of being wounded and gassed during four years on the Western Front and died in 1928. Grandma Brennan was left with 6 young children to raise during the Great Depression. Dad quit school in Grade 8 to help the family. He worked at many jobs, but settled on the fishing industry, where he learned to service the boat engines. He witnessed the disappearance of the perch and herring runs, as the Pacific fisheries declined.
He and Mom both served in the R.C.A.F. and reached the rank of Sergeant. They married following the war and had three children, Jamie first, followed by Denise and Karen. Summers were often spent camping at Woods Lake in the Okanagan. Dad would find a cribbage buddy and they would spend the days consuming just the right amount of gin and tonic while the kids frolicked in the Lake under Mom's watchful eyes.
Dad was an amateur boxer and won the B.C. Championship in the 160 pound class in 1947. Mom kept the newspaper clippings of his many bouts throughout B.C. and Washington state.
Dad worked in Burrard and Sterling Shipyards for a time and then moved to Black Ball ferries where he worked as a marine engineer. He was soon working for B.C. Ferries after the government takeover of Black Ball. He eventually found his ultimate job as Marine Superintendent for the Pacific Biological Research Station in Nanaimo where he worked until retirement.
The family moved to Nanaimo in 1964. Mom and Dad enjoyed the Island life; both joined the Nanaimo Golf Club and spent many days banging balls around the course. They would eventually purchase a house backing onto the course, enabling them to step right onto the course from their back yard. Many thanks to the Golf Club for half-masting the flag on Friday, July 20. Also, thanks to his good friend Euan Frew for regularly visiting Dad during his declining years to regale him of his triumphs and tribulations on the course. Euan was a true friend to Dad.
Mom continued the Norwegian custom of celebrating a Christmas Eve family dinner. As the number of grandchildren grew, these events became livelier and everyone co-operated when Dad brought out the tattered Christmas carol sheets for a few rounds of singing.
Dad loved to travel and he and Mom spent holidays vacationing in Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Australia. His last trip was a solo vacation to Hawaii.
Dad was a consistent joke and story teller. Unfortunately, he often became the best fan of his stories and began laughing from the start of the joke, which made the punch lines a combination of great humour and his interrupting chuckles.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers who helped Dad through his final months. In particular, Lakeside Gardens, the Transition Unit at N.R.G.H. and Malaspina Gardents. We appreciated the efforts of Dr. Simms and his colleagues at the Wellington Medical Centre.
If Dad had prepared a bucket list, I am sure most items would be ticked as done. He lived a full life and was much loved by his friends and family.