Keith Kay Strate of Kamloops B.C. passed away peacefully on July 4, 2019 at 90 years of age.  Friends and family who knew Keith well, called him “Kay.”
He is survived by his loving wife Rita, his sister, June Welling of Desert Hot Springs

California, and his children from his former wife Georgina Nickolson, Doug (Monique), Karen (Ron) Irnie, Mark (Heather), Bob (Sandra).
He is also survived by his step-children, Tammy (Chad) Miller, Shane Kurki, as well as grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Keith has been a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Bishop for a period of time and gave of his time to serve in other auxiliary positions. He was always ready to serve and help those in need.

Keith was born to parents, Clarence Henry Strate and Esther Pack, on December 17, 1928, in Cardston Alberta.  His family lived in Hillspring, Alberta till he was 4 years old, then his mother wanted to join her husband, Clarence, who at the time was working in Edmonton, so, she loaded up the family and all their belongings in a 1929 Ford that belonged to Uncle Forrest and they arrived in Edmonton on October 31st, much to the delightful surprise of her husband.

Kay’s love for hockey began at the early age of 6, his passion for hockey led to a career with the Edmonton Flyers as a forward.
In his 11th year of school he began to sell insurance for Western Savings and Loan for a couple of years and then he purchased the Leach Tire Store in Lloydminster, Alberta which would be re-named a couple of years later as the Civic Tire Store.
Kay would use his entrepreneurial spirit to purchase Tire stores in Vegreville, and Wetaskiwin, Alberta and Fort St. John B.C..  In order to keep in close contact with his employees at the different Tire store locations, Kay decided to learn to fly an airplane.
Kay retired early in his life at the age of 42, he then bought the ranch property at Campbell Creek in the Dallas region of Kamloops and raised some cattle and enjoyed the farming life which was close to his heart. On trips to Alberta with his wife, Rita, he would comment on the hay fields and how he loved the farmland.

Kay enjoyed so many hobbies and was a skilled craftsman. He built a carpentry workshop where he could make numerous projects for family and friends. His love of carpentry was handed down to him from watching and helping his own father at an early age with carpentry projects.
He loved hunting and fishing trips with his father and friends which always produced plenty of food to share with everyone.
He was able to build an airplane with his sons, Mark and Bob, which was a 7 year project. Often he spoke of the 23,000 rivets that went into the structure of the plane.Read More & Leave Condolences »

January 28, 1939-July 1, 2019

 It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Survived by her children Katherine (Robert) Allaire, Tammy (Greg) Gillies grandchildren Brock (Tammy) Allaire, Thomas and Tiffany Meier, Teresa, Tony, Tara, and Daniel Gillies She also leaves to remember her, several nieces, nephews and cousins some of whom were very close to her. Predeceased by her Husband Thomas Keith Parkinson, son Robert Allan Parkinson, daughter Deborah Lee Parkinson, parents Kate and Ivor Benson, Brother Larry Benson.Read More & Leave Condolences »

March 19, 1955 – July 6, 2019

Cath passed away peacefully at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home. Her cancer diagnosis was known by family and close friends and kept as private as possible. This was what she wanted.

Bout number 3 took a toll, but she did return to work. Number 4 really wasn’t a surprise, except for the fact that the diagnosis came so quickly after the third one.

She will be missed by her four-legged kids, Elephant, Tater and Little Guy; her siblings, Jim (Joyce), Pat, Peggy, Rick (Barbara) and Barb; and all her nephews and their spouses; as well as her friends, Helen, Janis, Linda, Tom, Teressa, Marg, Theresa and Marianne. She was predeceased by her sister Judy (Mike).Read More & Leave Condolences »

January 22, 1946 – July 1, 2019

Harvey passed away on the morning of July 1, 2019 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC.  Harvey’s greatest love was his family, he is survived by his beloved wife Bonnie, son William, daughter-in-law Trisha, grandchildren Jason, Gabriella and Sarah, along with his puppy Maggie.  Harvey was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.

He was born in Fort Frances, ON and had many fond memories of growing up there.  Harvey was predeceased by his parents, William and Elizabeth, his brothers, Donald, Darold, James, Earl, Harold and Jack and sisters, Evelene, Lillie and Lorna.

Harvey was an automotive mechanic, having worked in Fort Frances and Atikokan before moving his family to Logan Lake, BC, in 1980 and starting his career at Lornex (Highland Valley Copper), retiring in 2011.

Harvey always enjoyed his and Bonnie’s road trips to the US and across Canada to visit family and friends.  Countless motorcycle, camping and fishing trips that always ended in a good story or two.  He recently bought himself a bright yellow convertible mustang that he proudly drove around Logan Lake and enjoyed taking family and friends on little road trips to show off our beautiful area.

We are so sad that Harvey left this world.  His infectious smile and laughter, his sense of humor and endless teasing of the grandkids… which of course drove them crazy.

A huge thank you to the Logan Lake paramedics, RIH emergency doctors and nurses.

Harvey will always have a piece of our hearts.  He will be laid to rest in the Logan Lake cemetery, with no service as per his request.  Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation can be made in Harvey’s name in lieu of flowers.

Darrel passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at the age of 86 years. Second born son to Tula and Norman, Darrel Frederick Ross Newman came into the world on January 2, 1933.  He was welcomed by his older brother Vic and sister Gwen.  A year later Melvin, Darrel’s best friend was born and the family was complete.

As a young man Darrel worked alongside his dad and siblings weeding the garden at Rain-a-Day farm (now the Norkam property) and picking the apples on the Newman Homestead (next door to the Desmond family).  In true family form Darrel made his life’s work alongside his dad, brother Melvin, and for a time his cousin Syd and two nephew’s Michael and Robert Newman in the family business, NEWMAN & SONS.  The company thrived for decades with Gwen working the books and the boys (Melvin & Darrel) building and renovating homes.

Gwen, Darrel and Melvin (Sybil) travelled extensively from New Mexico all the way north to Anchorage.  They enjoyed each other’s company and seeing the world.  Laughter and storytelling followed them everywhere.Read More & Leave Condolences »