A Celebration of Sawyer’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2016 in the Kamloops Convention Centre, 1250 Rogers Way with Pastor Andrew Picklyk officiating.

Judith (Judy) Lynn Kerr (nee Boyle)

August 29, 1947 – March 29, 2016

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Judy Kerr passed away peacefully on the afternoon of March 29^th.

Judy is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 40 years, Ed Kerr. She is also survived by her son, Mark McVittie (Cecile) and daughter, Melanie Barnes  (Gareth). Judy will be fondly remembered by her step children Dan Kerr (Julie) and Daryl Kerr (Sandra), grandchildren Rob, Catie, Tyler, Cody, Mikaila and Riley. Also grievingher loss are close family Diane Poitras (Ed), Amber Rosencrans (Trevor), and Curtis Buvyer (Kait). Judy is survived by her mother Vivian, brother Brent and is predeceased by her brother Earl and brothe Laurie.

A Celebration of Life  will be held at the family  home on Saturday April 2,2016 at 2:00 PM.

Alvin “Al” Wilfred George Smith

December 12, 1927-March 22, 2016

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Alvin “Al” Smith passed away on the evening of March 22, surrounded by his family.

Al is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 59 years, Dariel Smith, as well as daughter Susan Smith Alexander (Doug), son Jim Smith and many other dear relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Edith and Alfred Smith, sister Dorothy Starke and brother Robert Smith.

Al was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, the middle child of English immigrant parents.  He carried many wonderful memories from his childhood there, including his young adult years spent at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, working at the local theatre, and becoming an uncle to nephews Rick and Don and niece Dawnalda.  He visited family on Vancouver Island over those years and was drawn to the West, eventually heading to Vancouver to study Engineering at UBC.  In 1954, he accepted a position with the then “Department of Highways”, which was the beginning of a fulfilling adventure surveying a burgeoning infrastructure as new highway routes were being created in almost every corner of the province.  Early in his role, Al found himself in Penticton, enjoying coffee at the Commodore Cafe when his eyes met with the woman who would become his wife.  Dariel and Al married in 1956 and whole-heartedly embraced the frequent moves to small communities throughout B.C. that Al’s job provided;  they moved 10 times the first year they were married!  After some nomadic years, they were transferred to Kamloops in 1962, where they settled more permanently and in the years shortly thereafter, started a family.  From surveying the Stewart-Cassiar and the Rogers Pass in the early years to survey and design work on the Coquihalla Highway, Al truly loved his 36 year career with the Ministry of Highways, both the work itself, as well as the people,  and ultimately, friendships developed there.

Al’s life away from work was equally (or more!) fulfilling.  He loved regular fishing trips with his buddy Eddie Rozander to one of his favourite places in the province, Bella Coola.  He had a lifelong passion for golf and was a long-time member of the Kamloops Golf & Country Club, where he sat on the board of directors in the 1980’s; his golf buddies were his friends until the end.  During winters, he was an avid curler and was a member of the Kamloops Curling Club.  This fall, he was extremely proud when the Freemasons presented him with a medal, acknowledging his 50 years as a Mason.  But what Al loved most, were his family and friends.

Al was admired by many for his honesty, warmth, generosity and sense of humour.  He was bright, with a wide knowledge that was a resource to many. He showed us what strength and determination looks like. He was the best husband, dad, father-in-law, uncle, son, nephew and friend anyone could ask for.  He was the “real deal”, a true gentleman and he will live on in our hearts forever. He was so very much loved.

The family would like to thank the staff of Overlander Extended Care for their compassionate care for Al during his later years and the support they continue to show Dariel and family.

Please join us for a celebration of Al’s life on Wednesday, March 30th at 2:00 pm at the Kamloops Golf & Country Club.   In lieu of flowers, please help a friend, be a good neighbour, make time for someone, volunteer or donate to something you care about, and think of Al.

James Harold Hilton MacMaster

February 18, 1922- March 20, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Harold Hilton MacMaster. Jim was called home by the Lord on March 20, 2016 at the age of 94 years, passing peacefully after a short illness. He was born in Toronto, Ontario on February 18,1922, the son of John and Alice MacMaster. He was the 6^th of 11 children and was predeceased by three sisters, Viola, Dorothy, and Pearl and five brothers,Lorne, Dalton, Donald, Bill and Albert.He was also predecesed by his daughter Raphaelle and son Garth. He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Louise, two sons, Robert (Rosalee) and Cameron (Henna) and daughter, Eileen Chartier (Russell), grandchildren, Shaylah, Denise Christian, Ashlee, Sara andArya and greatgrandchildren, Jordan, Devon,  Brandon,  Ayden, Noah and Ethan, Trinity Dawn and Matteo.

Jim Joined the Armed Forces at 16 and proudly served Canada in WW2  with the North Nova Scotia Regiment, seeing  action overseas in Belgium, Italy, France and Germany. He was very proud to be part of the Liberation of Holland in 1944 and has many stories to tell about the gratitude of the Dutch. He returned to Canada in 1945, joined CP Rail in 1946 as a wiper and quickly worked his way up to Fireman and eventually to Engineer retiring in 1985 after 39  years with the CPR.

He spent the last 4 years as a resident of Overlander Care Facility where he lived until his passing. We would like to extend olur thanks and gratitude to the staff of Overlander for the care they provided Jim during his residency there.

There will be no formal service at this time by request of the family. There will be a Celebration of Life for Jim to be announced at a later date.

Jim passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016. He was born in New Wesminster in 1934. In 1965 he received his CGA designation. Jim worked for many years in the forest industries, Balco, Tolko, and Weyerhaeuser in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Jim is survived by wife Jean, daughters Sally (Jerry) and Jennifer (Brian), and  grandchildren Andrew and Kate. He had many interests and many friends. He will be missed. There will be no funeral service at Jim’s request. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 160 Vernon Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2B 1L6.