EDGAR OWEN AVERAY-JONES
WW II VETERAN
June 30th 1923 – January 9th, 2016
It is with deep sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved dad and granddad.
Survived by his son Geoffrey Averay-Jones of British Columbia and daughter Valerie (Mark) Marcille of Kamloops, British Columbia, four grandchildren Terri Marcille of Kamloops, British Columbia and Sean, Kieran and Reanne Averay-Jones of Edmonton, Alberta. Also survived by stepson Giles, step-grand children Tamarah (Geoff), Jay (Amanda) and Allan of Australia.
Edgar was predeceased by his devoted and loving wife of over 50 years Claire Averay-Jones (nee Clara Ward) and his parents Clement and Alice Averay-Jones, of Manitoba and his siblings, six sisters and one brother.
Edgar was born in Sundown, Manitoba and at the age of 17 joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He served for 4 years during the “Battle of the Atlantic” and stayed on after WWII to serve Canada for another 16 years. After moving to Australia in 1961 Edgar served another 16 years with the Royal Australian Navy as a Special Constable with the Naval Police. Dad was a dedicated family man and at times worked 3 jobs to support his family while in Australia. On returning to Canada with his family in 1978 he then spent the next 11 years working in the security industry before his retirement.
Edgar was very athletic in his younger years. He loved to box and he played and coached baseball for many years. In his later years he loved watching the Toronto Blue Jays and his beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers… well not always beloved!
In the early 1980’s dad and mum bought an old rundown one-room schoolhouse out on the Manitoba prairie. We thought they were crazy at the time! However after many years of hard work renovating, it became their little oasis (a home away from home). Dad loved it there and enjoyed many years of swimming in the pool they installed, planting trees and “tinkering on the property doing odds and ends”…as he called it.
Dad and mom had a love of travel and after retiring, cruised many times, going to places dad saw while in the Navy and many new places as well. They enjoyed several trips to Australia to visit family and friends and especially liked vacationing in the Cook Islands “one of their most favourite of places”.
Valerie, Mark and Terri would like to give a special thanks to all the staff at Gemstone and to Dr. Wynn. Not only for the care dad received but also for the great support they gave to our family over the years. Also, big thanks to the care staff at Overlander Care were dad lived previous to Gemstone.
Fair winds and rolling seas,
May forever you feel that salty breeze.
Your loved ones have the comfort in knowing,
It is back to the sea that you are going.
A memorial service and internment will be held at a date to be announced at Hillside Cemetery in Kamloops.