Bayliff, Timothy Sunday, 14 Oct 2007
Williams Lake, BC
A memorial service was held at Chilancoh Ranch on October 20 to pay tribute to Timothy Lane Bayliff. Tim passed away October 14, 2007 on his 82nd birthday. Tim’s grandfather Hugh Bayliff, came from England in 1886/87; he liked the looks of the valley and settled on the land which is Chilancoh Ranch, named after the river which flows nearby.
Tim’s parents, Gay and Dorothy Bayliff, worked very hard through the depression years, improving the land and building many fences. They retired and turned the ranch over to Tim in 1960.
Tim modernized the operation ad increased the herd and hay production. He purchased the Tommy Morgan and Christie’s homesteads and gained sole occupancy of the Haines Creek range. Tim was resourceful, often designing and building his own equipment.
Tim was a good rancher and never afraid to try new ideas; he and friend Dieter Kellinghusen had many good ideas like growing new crops, making silage using new types of equipment; they introduced new breeds of cattle and computerizing records; always with the aim of increasing profitability and success.
Tim was a leader -- he was active in many aspects of ranching; he became involved in the Chilcotin Cattemen’s Association at its inception, and took their concerns to the provincial level of the B.C. Cattlemens for 18 years.
He was also a director of the Canadian Cattlemens.
In 1980 Tim became the president of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association. He took special interest in land use, taxation, grazing, water and highway fencing issues.
He never lost his sense of humour. Tim’s charm was that he knew what had to be said, and was not afraid to say it, and did so with grace and conviction.
In 1983 the B.C. Institute of Agrologists named Tim Bayliff Agriculturalist of the Year. At that time Tim was also president of the B.C. Chapter of the Society of Range Management.
His accomplishments were many and varied. Tim made many friends in all walks of life, and enjoyed his years involved with the Cattlemens Association.
He was a wise and knowledgeable man; many sought his information and advice. He loved history, and could tell wonderful stories about the area, many told to him by the early settlers.
Tim’s kindness reached out to the many international exchange students he and Merle had at the ranch, and in their home.
They supported and encouraged the local and regional 4-H clubs and were especially encouraging for their grandsons Bryce and Brent as they took their animals through the 4-H programs.
Tim was instrumental in getting three-phase power to the Chilcotin, which came to the area in 1973.
Hydro power made life much easier for everyone.
Tim was also a magistrate. He always doled out justice wisely in court in Alexis Creek. Tim was an outstanding rancher; he loved this country and all that came with it.
Tim will always be remembered by his style and respect for others.
His manners and etiquette will be carried on by family; Merle, Elizabeth, Hugh and Helen, with Maria and Matthew, Jim’s wife Marion and sons Bryce and Brent, his brother Tony and wife Barrie, and their family will carry on for Tim and maintain those values he exemplified. Tim will be sadly missed by everyone.
Enns, Harold Sunday, 19 Aug 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Harold “Harry” Enns fought hard to stay as long as possible, and when his time was up he went to sleep peacefully and no amount of medical intervention could wake him.
For the 69 years he was given, Harry lived life fully. He didn’t just live in his community; he was part of it. He was also a part of his brothers’ and sisters’ lives (including their children), his church family, and his own family. He will be missed by many.
Harry was born November 8, 1937 in Alberta, one of nine children (though he was pre-deceased by his brother Nicholas). On January 7, 1960, he married Norma Routley in Chilliwack, and they soon moved to the Cariboo. Their son Terry Enns was born November 30, 1962, and their daughter Barbara Enns was born January 31, 1964. Tammy Enns joined the family by adoption in 1974, though sadly she passed away in 1987. Foster children Evan and Elayne Nolan were with the family for several years beginning in 1978.
Harry became a father-in-law when Barb married Gerald Wasstrom on February 24, 1985. Terry married Carol Nelson on February 12, 1989, and Elayne married Dale Robinson on July 1, 1989. Morgan Enns, Bryce Robinson, and Brandon Robinson completed Harry’s family, giving him the title of “Grampa.”
In 1976 Harry became a Christian. Many times life brought him to his knees, and each time, he knew his heavenly Father would see him through. He praised God when times were good and he praised God through his tears. His last few years of life were a challenge for a man who believed in working hard.
He met the challenge the best he was able to for as long as he could. He rests now with his daughter Tammy awaiting the call of the Lord.
Rest Well Dad. We miss you.
Haines, Buck Wednesday, 02 May 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Buck Arnold Haines, affectionately known as Bucky, passed away May 2, 2007.
He was born at home Nov. 24, 1936, the fourth of nine children born to Roy and Dorothy Haines. At that time the family lived at “The Old Police Station” near the Gables.
The family moved to Alexis Creek in 1940 to be closer to a school. Bucky along with his siblings attended the one-room log school, where many happy childhood memories took place. There was always something for kids to do then; trapping squirrels, hiking to the river or up the rim rock, which was a favorite place. There were always chores, packing water or chopping wood to do.
When Buck finished elementary school, his teenage years were spent in the Chilcotin. His first job was helping brother Bob haying for Jack Maindley at Alexis Lake.
Buck worked for the Department of Highways picking rocks and operating a grader, he worked in John Lazzarin’s mill at Cinema, and mills at Horsefly, Springhouse, Meldrum Creek and other places in the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
Buck liked driving cars; his first car was a 1928 Hupmobile soft-top and if the road conditions were right it could manage 60 miles per hour.
He and the boys had a lot of fun with it.
Buck liked the big rigs, dump trucks, lumber and logging trucks. He worked for Harold Stuart driving dump truck, hauling gravel on Highway 20. He drove for Hodgson Freightways and hauled oil and asphalt to the Puntzi air base. He had to climb inside the asphalt tank on the truck in the hot summer sun to chip off the hardened asphalt, a feat many couldn’t do.
He worked feeding cattle for Bayliff’s in the winter and in Church’s sawmill at Big Creek. He said Dick Church was a good man to work for as they had coffee breaks, and cookies.
He drove lumber truck for Elton Elliott and Gordon Jasper hauling from the Chilcotin and hauled logs from Horsefly and Mitchell Bay area.
In the early 1960s Bucky married Marge Gaspard and they lived in Merritt where he drove logging truck for Johannes Post Trucking.
From Merritt Buck moved to the coast where he was a longshoreman and met Josephine Charles. They raised one daughter, Melody, of whom Bucky was so proud.
Buck came back to the Chilcotin to visit many times; he enjoyed the old time stories, and could tell a few himself.
These past few years Buck has lived in Williams Lake and recently moved from Deni House to the Senior’s Village, where he passed away peacefully with his family around him.
Bucky was pre-deceased by his wife, Josephine, his parents Roy and Dorothy Haines, a brother, Grove Mark Haines, sister Juanita Norberg and a nephew, John Holloway.
He is survived by his daughter Melody Haines; sisters Lenora (Jerry) Rushton, Karen Fairclough; brothers Bobby (Doreen), Lawrence (Frankie), Roland (Joy), and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Carlin Haines, Clayton Haines, Joey Haines, Morgan Haines, Blaine Norberg, Mark Rushton. Honorary pallbearers were Collin Bambrick, Bobby Blatchford, Gordon Jakel, McLure Jim, Levi Purjue, Tommy Zimmerlee.
The eulogy was read by Bob Haines. The music was by Stanley Stump. Pastor Art Joyce officiated. Interment was in the Haine’s plot. The service was held in the Alexis Creek Community Hall on Sat. May 12, 2007. A reception followed.
Thuncher, Rolf Sunday, 01 Apr 2007
Williams Lake, BC
In Williams Lake there is a street that few people know about. It has a sign that says Rolf’s Strasse and is on a trail on the golf course. The sign was paced there in 1988 by two of Rolf’s brothers, Alfred and Theo. They had decided that Rolf had built so many houses that he deserved a street named after him and where else but on the golf course. What began as a family joke was in reality true. Rolf lived in Williams Lake for 52 years and as a contractor the houses and buildings he built helped change the face of the city.
Rudolf Gerhard Thuncher was born in Kitzingen, Germany. He was the eighth of 10 children born to Vitus and Hedwig Thuncher. Rolf’s stories of his early years focused on the love and devotion of his mother to her children.
They had a large garden, fruit trees and raised rabbits and chickens to feed their large family. In spite of rationing and a lack of many supplies, his mother always made special treats for each child on their birthday and at Christmas.
The older children looked after the younger ones and all helped in the garden and with all the chores. Although Rolf’s schooling was interrupted during the war years, he was an excellent student. His report cards showed top marks in all subjects. In his teen years he belonged to a church youth group where he formed lifelong friends. This group went camping and hiking together and learned folk dances and songs that they performed at many events. He was active in the rowing club with another lifelong friend, Karl Reiner.
Rolf began his apprenticeship as a carpenter at the age of 14. He had top marks throughout his three-year apprenticeship. The excellent training he received gave him the skills to be a master builder. Jobs at that time were scarce in Germany so a few years after he completed his apprenticeship he immigrated to Canada to join his brother Alfred and his wife Gerlinde. Rolf arrived in Williams Lake in July 1955 and never left. Rolf loved to tell the stories of his adventures on the trip to Canada and of his arrival in Williams Lake. The travel agent in Germany had booked his trip by ship from Bremerhaven to Montreal, then across Canada by train to Vancouver and then by PGE to Williams Lake. The PGE at that time started in Squamish and the Union Steamship which went from Vancouver to Squamish was on strike. There was Rolf in his trench coat, with his suitcase and briefcase -- stranded in Vancouver.
Another recent immigrant recognized him as a fellow countryman and helped him get from Horseshoe Bay to Britannia Beach on a boat full of miners returning from a weekend in Vancouver. It certainly made him wonder what kind of country he had landed in. But the scenery from Squamish to Williams Lake impressed him and made him appreciate the beauty of the country. Rolf arrived in Williams Lake in the early hours of the morning. Walking along Oliver Street a stranger stopped his car and said you must be Fred’s brother, hop in and I’ll take you to his house. With this introduction Rolf knew this was where he wanted to stay.
For a few months he tried logging. His logging career ended when winter and -40 degree weather arrived. Fortunately he was able to get work in his trade as a carpenter. By summer he saved enough to buy his first new car -- a 1956 Ford Fairlane. For the next two years he worked to save for another dream -- marriage. In the summer of 1958 he flew to England to marry Susanne whom he had met several years before in Germany when she was visiting relatives.
After a brief honeymoon in Europe, he returned to Williams Lake and Susanne joined him a few months later when she completed her nurse’s training. In July 1959 their son Glen was born, followed by daughters Heide in 1962 and Sally in 1964. During this time Rolf built their new home on Western Avenue next to the former Lutheran Church and in 1966 Rolf started his own construction company, Rolf Thuncher Construction. In 1968 Susanne and the children left for a new life in Merritt. Rolf continued to be a devoted and loving father although he only saw the children on holidays and vacations. When the golf course opened new lots, Rolf sold his home on Western Avenue in 1979 and built a new home on the golf course. In 1985 Rolf married again. He and Elaine had a very happy and loving relationship for the rest of his life.
Rolf had been active in sports and travel all his life. In Germany he was active in swimming, rowing, skiing, and folk dancing and singing. In Canada he played tennis and badminton and belonged to the curling and tennis clubs.
He enjoyed skiing for many years. In the mid 70s he started to play golf and was a member of the executive of the golf club for many years. Rolf was known for his straight drives and his excellent putting. He won many tournaments over the years. The last trophy he won was the Club Senior Championship in September 2006.
Although Rolf only lived in two places -- Kitzengen for his first 21 years and Williams Lake for almost 52 years he loved to travel. He began his sightseeing with two long bicycle trips with friends in 1952 and 1953, biking and tenting as they toured Austria and Switzerland. In 1954 he went with his brother Werner by motorbike to tour Italy visiting many places including Pisa, Venice and Capri. With Elaine he made many trips to Germany to visit friends and relatives. Each time they tried to visit another country as well. After Elaine retired they went every winter for a few weeks to visit Glen and Heide in Hawaii. In the VW van they travelled across Canada, made two trips to Alaska and California and numerous camping trips through B.C. and Alberta.
Rolf began to have health problems in 1983 when he had a heart attack followed by by-pass surgery. In 1990 he received a heart transplant. Rolf’s strength of character and faith in modern medicine helped when he was fortunate to receive a second heart transplant in 1997. His positive outlook and optimism helped him to face many health problems. Rolf faced each new challenge without complaining. He made many new friends in the support group and was always ready to help others who needed advice and support both pre and post transplant. His health problems strengthened his belief in living life to the fullest. He spent as much time as possible with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Koa, Boston and Gabrielle loved to ride around the yard with him in the golf cart. He enjoyed gardening. The red petunias in front of the house were his signature except for one year when he accidentally bought snapdragons. Fishing, including ice-fishing, was another favorite pastime. He enjoyed conversations with his many friends and could be found at the “Wisdom Table” having morning coffee and discussing world and local events.
Rolf passed away peacefully at home on April 1, 2007 from complications of heart disease. Rolf is survived by his wife Elaine, son Glen (Lisa) in Texas; daughters Heide (Konrad Winder) in Hawaii, Sally (Stuart McAninch) of Tumbler Ridge; stepson Dan Real (Barbra) of 100 Mile House; grandchildren Mandy (Ben Pierce), Koa McAninch, Travis Thuncher, Matthew and Renae Real; great-grandchildren Gabrielle and Boston Pierce, Kaitlyn Real; sisters Elfriede, Inge, Ruth, Gerlinde in Germany, nieces Christine Mallette and Jasmine Burton of Williams Lake, Denika Thuncher of Abbotsford and nephew Mykel Thuncher of Vancouver and many nieces and nephews in Germany. He was pre-deceased by his parents and five brothers Erich, Werner, Theo, Alfred, and Elmar.
Rolf Thuncher was well respected for his honesty and strength of character. The legacy of the quality homes he built, his love of family and friends, his good humour and strong personality will always be remembered.
Cruickshank, Susan Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Susan Mary Cruickshank was born Jan. 17, 1912 to Jack and Mary Brickley of Kennedy, Saskatchewan.
She had four sisters and two brothers. At the age of three she contracted measles and mumps at the same time. This left her with a severe hearing loss. In spite of this she still managed to go to Grade 9, help all her sisters with new babies and raise four children of her own, two girls and two boys.
In 1939 she married Ross John Cruickshank of Woodnorth, Manitoba. They worked as hired help for prominent farmers in the area. In 1943 Ross went to war leaving Susan with the girls. He came home in 1946. They then moved to a small rented farm. There was no plumbing and a wood cook stove, but Susan always created beautiful meals, bread, cakes and pies.
She also loved to garden. She drove a horse and cart four miles to town to take her baby boys to the doctor.
In 1954 the whole family moved to B.C. where Ross got jobs on dairy farms at the coast. In 1963 they moved to Williams Lake where the two daughters were living. Susan made many friends and would help her neighbors with house cleaning, baby-sitting or preparing food for big events, or whatever else was needed. Ross had jobs as watchman out at camp a lot, leaving Susan alone. She was a very small lady, four foot nine inches tall and deaf but was never afraid to be alone. She would say: “I just say my prayers and I’m okay.”
One day her daughter came from 100 Mile House and found her asleep on her bed with a drunk man sitting beside her.
She asked him why he was there and he said he had come to visit and was waiting for her to get up. She awoke and said I better make coffee. No fuss at all. When asked why she didn’t lock the door she said she couldn’t hear people knocking and wouldn’t get any visitors if she locked the door.
She always had a meal and a bed ready when family or friends passed through town. She remembered all her neighbours birthdays and always tried to have a baby blanket crocheted for each new little one.
She dearly loved family. When there were marriage breakups she still asked after the former spouses and cared about their well being.
She had nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Her marriage broke up in 1980. Ross passed away Dec. 10, 2004 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Her family didn’t tell her because to the day she died she kept hoping they would get back together. Ross moved to Alberta about 15 years ago.
Susan was a people person.
If someone smiled at her they won her heart. She had lots of sayings, one of which her family really understands now: “You’ll never miss your mother until she’s gone”
She is missed terribly and was dearly loved by all. She went to sleep March 26, 2007 and never woke up. A peaceful end, what her family wanted for her.
The family thanks all the Home Support people who cared for her over the years and the caring staff at the Williams Lake Seniors Village who had her with them for five weeks.
Her family is lost without her. She was a sweet lady.
