1927 to 2011
“The moving finger having written moves on” Omar Khayyam
Jill Gresley-Jones of Christina Lake, Maureen Hegadoren of Paul Lake (Kamloops) and Vi Mauer of California are sad to announce the passing of their father and husband, Lance Thor.
Lance was born at Kimberley, B.C., on February 17, 1927, to Sydney and Helen Thor. He grew up in the Kootenays. In his younger years he worked in logging and mining. Later, he moved on to selling vacuums and then insurance, which had him travelling extensively through the Kootenays.
Lance met Marilyn Tucker and they were married in Kimberley in 1952. An avid outdoorsman, Lance lost an arm in a hunting accident. A strong man, he set about relearning everything he loved and continued to ski, hunt, fish and golf. Lance and Marilyn had two daughters and raised them throughout the Kootenays and Kamloops until Marilyn’s death in 1984. Lance sold his home and took to travelling North America with his van and trailer.
On his travels he met Viola Mauer and they married and continued to trailer for years before settling in Canal Flats and then Kelowna. Lance was an avid reader and was known for his writing on every subject, his strong opinions and his sense of humour.
Lance leaves to mourn his loss, daughters Jill (Ken) and Maureen (Harry); grandchildren: Ryan (Jaime), Jordan (Thea), Shea (Riley) and Sam; and his great-grandchild Jacob. He is also mourned by his wife Viola, her children Chris and Cathy (Bob) and son Josh and all of Lances’ California family. Special thanks to the staff at Hardy View Lodge in Annisley Cottage who loved and cared for Dad during his final years.