- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Harry Dar
1907-2002
Harry Dar, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C., passed away on April 12th, 2002 at the age of 94 years.
A funeral service was held on Saturday April 20th, at 2:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Bev Dunsmore officiated, interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery.
Harry was born in China on November 1st, 1907, when he was fourteen years of age he immigrated to Canada with his parents and three sisters.
When Harry was twenty one he returned to China and married Yui Oy Fong. Harry and Yui had one son Howard he was born in 1936.
Harry returned to Canada, living in Vancouver and in 1948 they moved to Dawson Creek, B.C.
Harry was in business with Pete Wing for many years, they owned the Starlight and Sunlight Cafes. Harry and Pete would open early to serve breakfast to many of their loyal customers.
He worked many long hours in the kitchen preparing great meals.
Harry is Survived by his loving wife Yui, his son Howard and wife Yvonne, his granddaughter Nancy, and Grandsons Michael and Robert. Also many relatives and friends as far away as Toronto and San Francisco.
Arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Bruce Rome
Bruce Rome of Kamloops, Vancouver, Dawson Creek and Brandon passed away quietly at home April 13, 2002 at the age of 78, following a brief illness during which we once again witnessed his renowned stoicism. He will be sorely missed by Jane, his wife of 48 years; his four children and their spouses: Brenda and Douglas Elmore, Kathy and Wayne Kennedy, Lorrie and Rick Reece, Robert and Janet Rome; his four beautiful granddaughters: Malindi, Jeanette, Krista and Amy Reece; two sisters, Ellen Howard (LA, California) and Marjorie Olvier (Rounthwaite, Manitoba).
Bruce was predeceased by his brothers Bev Rome (Nanaimo, B.C.), Morley Rome (Brandon, Manitoba), and his sister Kaye Groves (Carroll, Manitoba). One of Canada’s pioneers, his vision, coupled with years of hard work, he played a significant role in developing Canada’s north. Bruce was a 33-degree Mason, Shriner, former director of BC Rail, bush pilot, trucker and fabulous entrepreneur. He had businesses in farming, fishing, furniture, and subdivisions. In his later years, he collected and reconditioned antique farm equipment. Bruce was born at home in Wawanesa, Manitoba.
As a youth, he played hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He also curled, golfed, skied, water skied and played tennis. Bruce was a natural born storyteller, captivating his audiences. He could do math in his head that accountants needed a calculator to do.
Bruce was a loyal husband, father and grandfather, charitable to those in need. A man of his incredible honour, he possessed a quiet strength. His admirers will never forget the privilege of knowing him.
A memorial service was held at his home April 20. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to: Kamloops Hospice Association, 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2T1. We will miss you!
Kenneth Adolf Borek
1933-2002
Kenneth Adolf Borek, resident of Bay Tree, Alberta, former long-time resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away on March 31, 2002 near Beaverlodge, Alberta. A funeral service was held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2002 at the Alliance Church, Dawson Creek, with Charlie Parslow officiating. Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek.
Eulogy read by Frank Breault:
Kenneth was born on January 13, 1933 in Stettler, Alberta. These are some memories of his life:
He grew up on the family farm with his sisters, Frankie and Elizabeth, and brother, Jim. In his youth, his brother Jim remembers his dad saying that when Kenn drove the model D John Deere tractor, he seemed to be able to get it to go faster and get more power out of it. Jim also recalls that Kenn liked to sing and would sing in the basement of the farm home and he sounded like Wilf Carter.
Kenn left home when he was 16 and worked on the rigs in Edmonton and the oilfields throughout the North. He met Rosella in 1955, and they were married in Dawson Creek.
My involvement with Kenn began in the late 50's during the years when he was land clearing and building dugouts for farmers. These projects were often financed through government loans. Kenn had to be approved as a contractor and he claimed he could do all the work "with Rosella's help." He worked 24 hours a day and carried a pillow in his pickup to catch the odd nap.
The land clearing projects were later measured by walking the perimeter of the field to determine the area. It was hard to keep up to him. Babies began to arrive, and this meant that Rosella had the added responsibility of moving the babies as well as equipment to the sites. Kenn gave Rosella all the credit for raising the children, but we know that there was mutual trust, respect and understanding in such matters.
In those years, each new baby coincided with another caterpillar purchase. Carleen Rose arrived about the time of when the first D8 cat was purchased.
Kenn was innovative and pioneered new methods in agriculture, oilfield construction and operating airlines in the North. Over the years, he attracted a devoted group of individuals whose loyalty allowed his companies to become successful. Among those individuals were office staff, farm hands, mechanics, pilots, cat skinners and other partners to name a few.
Kenn thought farmland was a good investment. One of his first tasks would be to clear the land and remove fence line brush to create more acres. Future ambitions included field irrigation and a buffalo herd. Farming was his getaway, at harvest time running the combine and spending time with the crew. If he had clients he would invite them along. He looked forward to every harvest and every meal that Chris prepared on site.
Kenn once told me that he was uncomfortable flying in a single engine aircraft and he was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first Twin Otter. When this plane was ferried in 1970 from Toronto to Dawson Creek, my family was on board during the inaugural flight above Dawson Creek. This was the beginning of his dream to operate more aircraft in the far north and later worldwide. This dream was realized when the Twin Otter known as CF-ABW flew to Banks Island in the high arctic to move personnel and supplies. Kenn loved to talk about how Rosella picked the colors for the planes:
-White on the belly so you couldn't see them coming.
-Orange was on the top so when they landed on the snow they could be seen for miles.
-And the black lightning bolt was for speed.
I'm told that the orange colour is now known worldwide as Borek Orange. A frequent flyer was Kenn's small dog. Sergeant Pepper, who was always with him. Sergeant Pepper flew to the high arctic, tucked in Kenn's jacket, close to his heart. His most recent companion was Kelly Dog.
He took pride in meeting new challenges and establishing new benchmarks. An example was the productive working relationship with the people of the territories for oil and gas exploration and development. He was held in high esteem both by those he worked for and those who worked for him.
Kenn had business intuition that allowed him to make sound decisions. He said there was always a right day to make successful business decisions. He never went anywhere without his diary so he could jot down his thoughts. He always made his calculations with a pencil. He kept a careful and detailed diary and expected anyone in charge of projects to keep one as well.
Kenn believed it was important to exercise on a regular basis to keep the mind sharp. Regular swimming was one of his choices, but Rosella has told me how he enjoyed the exercise room in their new home at Bay Tree. Sunshine fills the room throughout the day and this was important to him. He also believed in healthy eating and was known to pack and hand out cherries or peas when they were in season.
Some years ago, with Kenn and Rosella, we were guests at Kenn's mothers home in Stettler. We had enjoyed a fine supper and were eating Kenn's favorite desert, chocolate cake with cream, when Mrs. Borek had difficulty remembering my name. Kenn suggested that she could call me Buddy. He continued to call me Buddy over the years and this was really effective for me to get past the answering service, in order to have a conversation with him. I have since learned that he also gave many of his family and other friends nicknames. The most common family nicknames were:
-1) Jake
-2) Bronc
-3) Lawyer
-4) Tic
-5) Charlie
-6) Stinkums Pots
and #7) The most famous; was PET for Rosella, the love of his life.
It wasn't uncommon for Kenn and Pet to wake up at 4:00 am to have a quick chat about the family, business or the day's events and then off to sleep they would go.
Kenn was a very strong family man. A trip to Disney World with his mother and mother-in-law is well remembered: he was bound and determined to get them on the Thunder Mountain roller coaster. Neither one could walk after the ride, but they sure had fun!
In the words of his grandchildren: "The mornings at Grandpa's were always exciting!" Grandpa would come at them in his long johns, electric razor in his hand chasing them and saying that he would 'shave their chins, to make the hair grow'. Every Christmas, Grandpa would help them plot out, how they were going to capture Santa Claus and then they could steal all of Santa's presents. This was also a tradition with his own children.
From the children, there are never ending stories: such as learning to drive, the vacations (with hotel room changes), chuckwagons, the North farm, and Halloween. Last, but not least, the family station wagon, with the classic picnic lunch of garlic sausage, bread and the occasional can of beans.
Always with a toothpick and a shy smile, Kenn was a mix of talents and strengths. To mention a few:
-He was a good listener, it didn't matter who you were; he used to say, "It only takes a minute."
-He loved auctions, the visiting and the hot dogs with onions.
-He was an entrepreneur - a true northern success story.
-He never forgot his origins.
-He was humble, despite fame and fortune.
-He was inquisitive.
-He had a passion for work.
-He ran a thrifty operation.
-He taught his children and expected others to be punctual.
-He inspired and motivated those around him.
-He offered honesty, integrity and experience.
The Kenn Borek legacy is in part, his capable wife Rosella, and family: Chris, Dean, Debbie, Tammy, Sandy, and their extended families. It also includes his staff and various companies and all those who knew him.
A local historian once said, "History is where you stand" and what she meant was, that history was very local and we are a part of it. Kenn has been, and will remain, part of our local history, a living legend to us all.
Kenn will be sadly missed by his wife, Rosella; mother, Aniela Borek; children, Chris (Gene) Vipond, Dean (Lorrie Flaherty) Borek, Debbie (Tom) O'Brien, Tammy (Scott) Vipond, and Sandy Borek; son-in-law, Raymond Walker; grandchildren, Tamara, (Greg), Courtney-Jean, Brandy (Mike), Shawn, Blaine, Dalaina, Kendell, James, Huey, Jessica, and Josh; great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kirsten, and Evan; sisters, Frankie (Wally) Gacek, Elizabeth Borek; brother, Jim Borek; numerous, nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Kelly.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Carleen Rose Borek-Walker
1962-2002
Carleen Rose Borek-Walker, resident of Grande Prairie, Alberta, former resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away on March 31, 2002 near Beaverlodge, Alberta. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2002 at the Alliance Church, Dawson Creek, with Charlie Parslow officiating. Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek.
Eulogy read by Mark Robinson:
Carleen Rose Borek-Walker: A wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, granddaughter, cousin, friend.
Carleen arrived on May 25, 1962, a beautiful angel with blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. Although her name was Carleen, it was not long before her dad started calling her 'Charlie.'
From the time Carleen was a baby, her mom remembers how she would play in her crib for hours by herself. As soon as everyone had left for the day, she'd make some noise so she and her mom could have their time together. Charlie carried this characteristic throughout her teenage years, and into adulthood. This did cause some concern when the family piled into the station wagon. They could be a block away and realize Charlie had been left behind. Upon returning, she could be found doing her own thing, not concerned at all. After this, the Boreks started doing a head count before any family outings.
Carleen always believed that her mom and dad never really knew how much trouble she could or did get into. But as her mom put it, "I always knew everything Carleen did." In her mother's eyes, Carleen was a beautiful gentle soul, and a best friend to laugh and talk with. Inheriting many of her mother's exceptional traits, Carleen was, and is now, a very special angel. Carleen was the fifth child out of six. Her brother and sisters would say she was the quiet one, but they knew that this was not always true. To Carleen, the family was more than six, being a brother or sister in-law made you another sibling.
Auntie Carleen - aka "Auntie Lightbulb", was the cool, calm aunt who was always there to cover for her nieces and nephews. She would sneak around, attend parties, and was there to love and help her family. At the Borek get-togethers; she made the best-mashed potatoes. Carleen was one of a kind. She was always up front, honest, and hardworking; traits she inherited from her parents. Dean noticed many times how much of their dad she had in her heart. Charlie was a 'take me as I am or buzz off' kind of girl.
Carleen grew up in Dawson Creek and in 1983, she moved to Vancouver with her best friend Linda. While living in Vancouver, she worked for the CIBC Bank and a tanning salon. In 1987, Carleen started a company called 'Body Gear Tan and Tone' with her parents, and sister, Sandy. As we know, Carleen loved people. As the clients worked through the seven tables, Carleen would talk and listen. She knew more about what was happening in West Vancouver than anybody else. About ten years ago, Carleen moved back to Dawson Creek, where she worked for her mom and dad in the Dawson Creek office and later in Grande Prairie.
After a couple of false starts in the spring of'97, Chris and Gene were successful with their attempts to play matchmaker. They introduced Carleen to Raymond Walker, a local "Kiwi" from Grande Prairie. At the time there was no thought of a long-term relationship but potential for short-term romance and lots of fun for both. Much to everyone's surprise Ray and Carleen hit it off and she had found one of her greatest joys in life, 'Her Raymond', who she referred to as "My Honey."
As most of you know, Ray and Carleen are very private people, both guarded and protected their budding romance. They were dating for several weeks before Ray mumbled to his friends that he was seeing Carleen. Carleen, also slow to broadcast the news, showed up at a family brunch with Ray in tow. Ray's introduction was a surprise as Rosella announced to the family that Carleen had brought a boy home. After a discussion en route to a local pub, Ray stunned Carleen with a marriage proposal. The next morning, Carleen was early to rise and headed back to Dawson Creek leaving Ray with a few questions. Several weeks later, Carleen worked up the courage to tell Kenn and Rosella of their engagement. Ray and Carleen arrived at the house unannounced only to find her parents asleep. With this announcement Ray and Carleen began their future together. On September 26, 1998 Ray and Carleen married in Dawson Creek. They searched for a long time before they finally found a house to call home. They moved in with plans, hopes and dreams for their future.
Carleen loved life, family, and friends, her cat Renn, and her overalls. She enjoyed painting, cross-stitching, shopping trips, chuck wagon races, and her BMW. However, her greatest love was Raymond. Carleen was a very unselfish person, who always called a spade a spade.
To all that know Carleen, she holds a very special place in all our hearts and we will forever love her.
Carleen will be sadly missed by her husband, Raymond Walker; mother, Rosella Borek; grandmother, Aniela Borek; sisters, Chris (Gene) Vipond, , Debbie (Tom) O'Brien, Tammy (Scott) Vipond, and Sandy Borek; brother, Dean (Lorrie Flaherty)Borek; mother-in-law, Margaret Walker; grandmother-in-law, 'Granna' Agnes Thompson; brother-in-laws, Mervyn Walker, and Blair (Trena) Walker; nieces and nephews, Tamara, (Greg), Courtney-Jean, Brandy (Mike), Shawn, Blaine, Dalaina, Kendell, James, Huey, Jessica, Josh and Nathan; great-niece and nephews, Kyle, Kirsten, and Evan; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Ralph Waldo Moore
1921-2002
A memorial service was held on Monday April 15th, at 2:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. For the late Ralph Waldo Moore of Dawson Creek, B.C. Captains, Gail and Barry Haggett officiated, interment followed in the City Cemetery.
Ralph was born on April 7th, 1921, to Willard & Louise Moore at Lavoy, Alberta.
In 1930 they moved the family to the farm just five miles east of Dawson Creek. It was here that Ralph, spent his childhood and learned about farming.
In 1939 Ralph joined the Canadian Army. He remained in the army until 1941. He was unable to go overseas during the war because of health problems. During his term with the army Ralph was in Red Deer, Alberta taking a mechanics course. Ralph then received his discharge papers and found employment with the Department of Highways in Fort Nelson, B.C. He worked for Forestry at Boulder Creek, near Mt. Lemorey, in the Pine Pass, and from there he went to Fort McMurray and worked as a security guard. Ralph's last employment was for the oil rigs as a camp attendant, this job took him throughout Alberta and B.C.
Ralph liked to play his guitar and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, when he was camping he would bring his guitar and play while sitting around the campfire.
Ralph moved around the country a little, and then he retired in Dawson Creek. For the past 2 1/2 years he lived in the Pouce Coupe Care Home, then with failing health he was moved to the Dawson Creek Hospital. Ralph passed away peacefully on April 11th, 2002, at the age of 81 years.
He was predeceased by his father Willard, who was born in 1888 and passed away in 1940 at the age of 52 years, also his mother Louise who was born in 1900 and passed away in 1983 at the age of 82 years. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth; his son David at birth; and sister in law, Annie Moore.
Ralph is survived by his sons, Dan (Val) Moore, Wayne (Charity) LaMarsh; his brothers, Melvin Moore, Edward (Gwyneth) Moore and their daughter Judith; three grandchildren; one great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
William Sanderson Sr.
1921-2002
Dad passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the Chiliwack hospital March 22 2002. Born in Consort, Alberta, April 10 1921, he is survived by his loving wife Jessie, his brother Hank (Lena), his sister Lillian (Bill) sons Art (Karen), Bill, Ron (Yumi), Ken, and daughter Cheryl (Martin), and grandchildren, Kathleen, Dianne, David, Jessie and Ashley, plus many other nieces and nephews. His sister June and parents predeceased him.
After the 2nd. World war, Dad worked for Scott National and requested a transfer to Dawson Creek. He failed to mention to his wife it was his idea, not the company telling him he had to go. Mom was to find this out after. In 1956 the family moved to Dawson Creek. Dad traveled the highway as far north as Can Tunq in the NWT. It was no mean feat traveling the highway in those days. Dad was Scott National’s first million-dollar salesman.
Dad built his own home in Dawson Creek, and homesteaded a quarter section north of Kilkarean. Dad and Mom bought the Rolla General Store, which they operated until his retirement.
Dad was very giving with his time. He was one of the great backyard quarterbacks, and would throw the ball as long as there were kids to play one-on-one. He spent many years coaching minor hockey, and was awarded Coach of the Year honors. Dad organized and umpired many neighborhood softball and touch football games during those long summer nights. Dad loved to play penny poker and allowed us kids to win enough money to go to the local A&W for treats.
Dad and Mom sold the farm and store, and then retired to Armstrong B.C. There, Dad took up golfing and bowling. Dad was an accomplished bowler, and went on to place second in the Canadian National Seniors Bowling Championships in Ontario, a very proud moment for Dad.
Mom and Dad then moved to Chiliwack B.C. to be closer to family.
Dad will be sadly missed and remembered for his lust of life, his loving spirit, his ready smile, and his gift of the gab. He had the ability to make friends in any room he entered.
Dad will always live in our heart and thoughts. His memory will comfort us and keep us strong in the days and years to come.
Keep a lane open and book a tee-off time, as we will meet again. Good-bye to a Husband, father and a friend.
