It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Tara Singh Dhillon. He passed away peacefully in his home in Kamloops on November 11, 2023 at the age of 90 years old. Born in Pandori Lahda Singh, a small village in Punjab India, Tara Singh made an incredible journey at 16 years old to what would become his new home in British Columbia.  In 1949, at 16, his family spent $1,300 CDN on a flight from India to Vancouver, BC. Still in his youth, he initially enrolled at a school on Vancouver Island. Tara’s principal wrote a letter to seek his father’s approval to leave him in school to study. However, due to the family’s tough financial constraints, his father asked him to get a job instead. He first joined a lumber mill in Youbou, BC and then spent the next decade hopping around BC from mill to mill until Kamloops would become a permanent home. In 1953, Tara Singh would travel by ship back to India to visit his family and to marry his soulmate from a nearby village. Defying his parent’s wishes to marry another woman, he would get married to Gian Kaur with all his conviction. Gian Kaur and their son weren’t able to join him in Canada just yet due to immigration issues. Tara returned to Canada to work and eventually found a career with Tolko lumber mills. Once Gian Kaur and their son, Sukhdev, immigrated to Canada in 1960, family and faith were the pillars of Tara Singh’s life. They made Kamloops, BC their home, raising four children and providing a great life and upbringing for their children and grandchildren. Tara Singh and Gian Kaur enjoyed 68 years of marriage.

 When his family was settled, Tara was responsible for the sponsorship of dozens of extended family members’ immigration to Canada. He was immensely proud of this and there are many of his cousins, nephews and nieces who are forever grateful. Upon retirement, Tara Singh traveled back to his home country, to Amritsar, Punjab and became a baptized Sikh. He dedicated his life to his faith, proudly displaying the symbols of Sikhism on him with his uncut hair, turban on his head, a kirpan (a small dagger) by his side, and karha (steel bracelet) on his wrist. He made daily trips to the Kamloops Sikh Temple, actively volunteering to help clean the facilities and managed the gardening outside of it. He was looked up to by so many in our family and around the community. He was a gentle soul, respecting everyone that he met. He always gave back generously to his temple and his local hospital. Tara Singh was predeceased by his wife Gian Kaur, his sisters Pritam Kaur and Chanan Kaur and his granddaughter, Stephanie. He is survived by his brother Sarwan Singh, his sons Sukhdev (Narinder) and Satpaul (Parminder), his daughters Sheila and Kathy, his grandchildren, Charleen, Shauna, Pamela, Brandon, Bryce, Jaspaul and Kacey, and great grandchildren, Angeline, Dylan, Maya and Aria.We will always cherish the memories we have made and love and remember you always. 

A Celebration of Tara Singh’s life will be held on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00am in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. Following the cremation and service, prayers and a reception will be held at the Kamloops Sikh Temple, 700 Cambridge Crescent. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, donations can be made to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4 in memory of his granddaughter, Stephanie.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

April 23,1954 – October 26, 2023

It is with profound sadness that the family of John Dunford announces his sudden passing on October 26, 2023 in Kamloops, BC.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Charlene; their children Becky (Nathanael), Todd (Keely) and Ali and his grandchildren whom he adored; Brielle, Sophie, Tristan, Violet and Elias. He is also survived by his brothers Brian (Barb), Peter (Connie), Paul (Karen) and sister Anice (Mark). He was predeceased by his parents George and Doreen, and his beautiful daughter Jodi.

John loved being a forester and took great pride in the profession. He was well respected and well liked.  John worked for Tolko Industries for over 23 years. John was Professional Forester of the Year in 2010 (by the BC Association of Forest Professionals). He served a four-year term on the BC Forest Practices Board, three as vice-chair, where he was recognized as bringing a fair and balanced perspective to the Board. Nationally, for over a decade John served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Forestry Committee for the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC). He led the Woodland Caribou and Forest Certification sub-committees always bringing thoughtful solutions to these policy conversations. He was also a member of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) Forestry Committee during this time. For many years John championed the importance of sustainable forestry. He served as Director and Chair of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Canada, and represented PEFC Canada internationally on several boards and working groups.

John’s family, friends and coworkers will remember him as a genuinely kind, gentle and loving soul. He had a quick wit and great sense of humour. John touched the lives of many and left knowing how incredibly loved he was. He will be forever missed. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in May 2024 in Kamloops BC. Date and location to be determined.

Mona Jean “Hall” Giesbrecht, aged 86, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Monday, October 30th, 2023.

Mona was born in Eckville, Alberta, on October 16th, 1937, to Gladys and Reginald Hall. She had four siblings: Bobby (Roberta), Dean, Keith, and Doug, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She had a close relationship with her Aunt Laverne and her sister Bobby’s eight children.

In 1954, at the age of 17, Mona took a train from Alberta to British Columbia, where she would spend the rest of her life.

In 1960, Mona met her husband Walter and married in 1961. They celebrated 62 years of marriage. Both of them enjoyed watching sports and shared a competitive spirit by playing backgammon every morning for over 40 years. They both volunteered for over 80 years combined at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 52.

In 1964, Mona and Walter welcomed their first son, Michael Dean, and in 1965, their daughter, Kathryn Laverne. Dean (Heidi) had two children, Hailey and Grayson, and Kathryn (Kevin) had two children, Keenan and Keanna.

Mona was predeceased by her mother, Gladys, father, Reginald, brothers, Dean and Keith, sister, Bobby, and, sadly, her son, Dean, in 2011.

Mona was a loving mom, wife, and thoughtful daughter, sister, and friend. She was dedicated to her causes and always put others first. Her thousands of volunteer hours were a testament to her giving character. She was very crafty and had a great sense of humor right to the end. Her career as a bookkeeper spanned over many decades.

Mona will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate, Mona had many favorite charities. The Canadian Red Cross, RH Foundation, War Amps, and TB Vets were just a few.

Mona’s Celebration of life will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Royal Canadian Legion, 425 Lansdowne, Kamloops.

Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com.

In loving memory of Gene: a husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, who has passed away peacefully at Marjory Sowden Hospice, Kamloops.  At the age of 74, Gene’s spirit and unwavering courage shone brightly until the very end.

Born with a passion for culinary arts, Gene pursued his dreams and became a superb chef who was highly respected by his colleagues. He delighted countless palettes with his delectable creations. His culinary expertise was matched only by his soft-spoken, but warm and generous nature, as he shared his talents and love for food with all who crossed his path.

Gene’s greatest joy was his family. He leaves behind wife Kim, who stood by his side throughout his arduous journey, offering unwavering support. He was a devoted father to his son Dax, and his late daughter Sonia, instilling in them the values of kindness, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams.

Gene’s presence was felt in every room he entered. He was genuine, never needing to be in the limelight, yet offered thoughtful messages from a unique perspective. His absence will be deeply felt, but his memory will forever be cherished.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Marjory Snowden Hospice Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Alliance Church on Friday, November 10th, 2023 at 1:00pm.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Eleanor Louise Kratz “Klassen” passed away peacefully at the age of 85 in Kamloops BC, on 24 October 2023. She was surrounded by family at her bedside while listening to her favourite 50’s music.

Eleanor was born 27 November 1937 in Flin Flon, Manitoba. She grew up in Saskatoon, raised a family in Kamloops and then back in Saskatoon, where she spent her later years among family, friends, and her church community.

She is predeceased by her beloved parents Hudy and Abe Klassen and siblings Joyce Buryj (Mike) and Dean (Verna) Klassen.

She is survived by her children Cassandra (Carmen) Turner (Peter Brown), Helen (Craig) Lamb, Krista Kratz, and Abie (Walter) Kratz.

She will be remembered by her grandchildren: Bradley, Brandon (Jamie), Andrew (Alice), Mikael (Emma), Alyssa (Brant), Steven (Ashley), Chad, Jasmine, Kristen, Stephanie, and Tiffany. Her memory will live on with many of her great-grandchildren as well, including Allan, Eliza, Jacob, Anna, Heidi, Zachary, Claire, Carter, Joshua, Isaac, Rachel, Cameron, Alexa, Beau, and Charlotte. She also leaves behind Trudy, Peggy, and many more friends who were like family to her.

Eleanor will be remembered for her remarkable way of finding joy in the simple acts of cleaning and organising, often referring to it as ‘poking’ things into place. Her boundless kindness and unwavering faith will be remembered as well. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand, whether it was through her skill in baking and serving, sewing, love for picnics and dancing, or dedication to preserving family history.

She will be laid to rest in Saskatoon, SK, the city where she spent most of her life, next to her parents. The graveside service will be held November 4th at 11:00 AM at Hillcrest Cemetery, followed by a light luncheon for family and friends at 1429 10th St. East.

Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com.