1913 to 2011
Wilf passed away peacefully on July 4, 2011, at Rezansoff Manor in Grand Forks at the age of 98 years. Hw was born at Salmon Arm, B.C., on May 10, 1913.
Wilf was predeceased by his wife Ruth, in November of 1996. He is lovingly survived by six children: Darlene (Bob) Duckworth, Elaine (Don) Todd, Ken (Karon) Gibbard, Brian (Toni) Gibbard, Gloria (Darryl) Pitt and Kevin Gibbard; 13 grandchildren: Wendy (Lee) Mossman, Lori-Lynn (Dave) Favell, Ben (Lisa) Duckworth, Erin (Craig) Washbrun, Brett (Yoko) Todd, Michelle (Jerry) Vrabic, Melissa (Joel) Feddersen, Ryan (Jessica) Gibbard, Anna (Trevor) Burke, DJ Dallas, Jess and Jacob; and by 13 great-grandchildren: Dayna, Lyndsay, Alyssa, Jamie, Alena, Wyatt, Kaylah, Matthew, Owen, Emily, Nene, Ella and Mae.
Wilf was a kind-hearted man, always with a smile and an adventure story. His traveler?s spirit led him to many places, but his Old Glory Mountain days, spent first as a Forestry Lookout man, and then running a pack train of horses from the base camp to the mountain top were among the happiest. Wilf embraced life.
He loved horses, pie and apple turnovers, mountain tops, a joke, a rousing game of cards, a bargain, working with his hands, Christmas morning, his friends, his family and his beloved Ruthie.
Those who knew him will miss more than the twinkle in his eyes, his zest for life, his handshake and his stories. We will continue to be inspired by him, knowing he laughed often, lived fully and was loved so well!
A celebration of life will be held at the Christina Lake Community Hall on August 6, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Rossland Range, Box 701, Rossland, B.C., V0G-1Y0. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Deborah Baker of Grand Forks Funeral Home.