Bob/DaddyO/Gramps/Uncle

Bob was born in Stettler, Alberta, on July 29, 1937. He spent his younger years in Chilliwack, BC. His love of planes started with Air Cadets, and Bob earned his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He worked for CP Air and lived in various towns, including Williams Lake, where he built a home. He settled in Terrace, where he fulfilled another dream and opened a travel agency. Bob moved to Kamloops in 1991 with his second wife, Gail, where he managed apartment buildings until 2015. He also enjoyed many days fishing in the nearby lakes.

He then moved into his trailer, where he could look out over the valley and garden—growing his roses and other flowers, and of course, all the vegetables. He was often found sitting and reading his dusters and other books, but he was happiest visiting with and cooking meals for family and friends.

Bob was a lover of sunshine and loved living in Kamloops. He enjoyed many trips traveling to wonderful destinations, especially if they had aviation museums.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Gail Harvey (nee Tessovitch), and his daughter, Cynthia Harvey. He is survived by two brothers and his children: William Harvey, James Harvey, Marjorie Taron, and stepchildren Wendy Cummer and Rik Sharples, and their respective families.

Bob was very personable and sociable; he had many friends and people who always thought very highly of him. He will be missed by all of us.

He passed away on July 11, 2024, at Overlander in the Blueberry unit, at 86 years old. Bob received great care while there from his doctor, Peter Loland, and all the staff of this care facility, which was vastly appreciated.

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

In Loving Memory of our Mom
Christine (McClain – Burtch) Stephen
Born: April 19, 1937
Primrose, Alberta
Passed Away : July 8th, 2024 Age 87, Kamloops, BC

With the heaviest of hearts we share with you the passing of our mom Christine “Chris” Stephen. She left this world peacefully to join her beloved husband George and their faithful companion “Lucy”.

Mom was born April 19th, 1937 in Primrose, Alberta, youngest daughter of Grover & Christenia McClain. (Mom was named after her mother & the proper spelling of mom’s name  was the same as her mother’s “Christenia Mae” but mom had a dislike for the spelling and changed it to “Christine May”).

Mom had a stubborn streak that was proudly inherited from the McClain’s, but she loved to laugh, smile & play jokes to make others laugh. Mom also had a great love of animals especially horses, Holstein cows, dogs & cats. Mom loved to travel rv style with friends or family touring the states making new friends at every rv park along the trail, first with dad (Bill Burtch) and then later with George & Lucy. When mom was younger she loved to draw, and she was always up for a good game especially crib. Mom loved a good visit with friends or family, a glass of wine and sharing stories of their travels or just of days gone by.

Mom leaves to mourn her children Brian (Anna) Burtch, Trudy (Randy) Keehn, Dale (Cecilia) Burtch, Charlotte (Rainer Steck) Francoeur, Howard (Jenn Chapman) Burtch, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter along with nieces, nephews & friends.

In lieu of flowers if friends or family so desire, memorial donations may be made to any SPCA or rescue of choice in memory of Mom & her love of animals.

Always in our thoughts & hearts, Mom. Until we meet again. Love Brian, Trudy, Dale, Charlotte & Howard ♥️

Memorial:
Her children have chosen Cremation and a small immediate family gathering to spread her ashes.
Cremation Entrusted to Kamloops Funeral Home.

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

Orry Robert Roberge a former volunteer firefighter, devoted father, and lifelong resident of Kamloops, BC passed away unexpectedly on June 21st, 2024 at the age of 49.

He is survived by his children Cora-Lee, Makhai, and Karter; his granddaughter, Vienna; his sister, Nicole (Clint) Wilkinson; his niece and nephews, Braydon, Rylan, Dawn, Braunson, Mason, and Ethan; his great niece Ella; his aunt Donna Roberge; his aunt Helen (Bud) Ringer; and his dog, Kylie. He is predeceased by his mother, Gladys Roberge (Schueck); and his father Larry Roberge.

Orry was born in Kamloops on July 12, 1974. He graduated from Norkam Secondary School in 1992. He studied at Thompson Rivers University eventually becoming a community support worker.

Nothing brought Orry greater joy than being a father. His children were his greatest achievements in his eyes. He was very involved in Kamloops sports teams. Spending most of his younger years playing baseball and hockey he made a lot of meaningful, lifelong friendships. He was an avid hiker, exploring trails with his dog and children in his free time. Orry was passionate about helping others and giving back to his community. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those that had the pleasure of knowing him.

A Celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at  at Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.

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

Harry du Russel passed away on May 31, 2024, at Gillis House in Merritt, BC at the age of 89 years. Harry was born in Bemersyde, Saskatchewan. He was predeceased by his mother Margaret Florence MacFadyen, his father Nelson Stuart du Russel, and his sister Nelda Isabel Morley. He is survived by his sister Patricia Constance Buchanan, brother Eric Nelson du Russel, loving wife Carma-Lee du Russel, six children Wendy, Delva, Dawn, Ryan, Alison, and Jamie, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends.

He lived on the family farm in Bemersyde, Saskatchewan until he was five years old and then moved two and a half miles east of Corning, Saskatchewan. In 1945, he moved to Grand Coulee (eight miles west of Regina Airport). In the spring of 1947, he moved to Francis.

In 1939, his du Russel grandparents took Nelda, Pat, and Harry (age four) to Broadview, Saskatchewan to see Queen Elizabeth. This was King George VI and Queen consort Elizabeth’s grand tour of Canada.

As a nine-year-old, he had several appendix attacks. He went to the hospital on the train where he had the appendix removed and came home two weeks later. A massive infection developed in the wound site and he had to return to the hospital. As it turned out, the air ambulance started in Saskatchewan and it was the third day in service. The family set fires in the field to direct the plane in. There was a doctor and a nurse on board. They picked up Harry and his mom. He was flown to Regina Hospital where he was readmitted and put back on penicillin injections every 3 hours. (Penicillin had only been released from military use to the public 6 months before.)

In 1953, while he attended Scott Collegiate, he came 5th in the mile run. At age 18, he was chosen to go to spring baseball camp with the St. Louis Browns in Thomasville, Georgia. It was a three-week ball school with intensive training, running five miles a day and different position workouts. Harry really enjoyed this experience and spoke of it often. In later years, while raising his children, he coached them in batting.

From 1954 to 1960, he attended U of S. He graduated with a BSA, took one year of education and agriculture. While at U of S, he came 1st in middleweight wrestling, and his team were the Western Canadian University Champions. He was head of the men’s athletic board and social committee. While going to university, Harry worked summers in the Yukon and worked on the Alaska Highway. This is how he put himself through university.

He had many skills and jobs, some of which included district manager for General Motors out of Swift Current. Then he decided to haul cars, which he did for forty years.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed many activities. At six months old, he learned to dance in his mother’s arms while his dad played music in the band. He learned to play piano and drums in his teenage years. He loved hunting, gardening, camping, and canoeing. He spoke of the many camping trips he took with his children.

Good-bye, Harry, till we meet again.
At Harry’s request, there will be no service.

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

Heather Ann Forrester, née Mark, of Kamloops, British Columbia, passed away on June 10, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ross Duncan Forrester, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Ann Mark. Heather is survived by her brother, Don (Randi, Randon) Mark; stepsons, Adam (Jennifer, Rylan, Cole) Forrester and Derek (Terine) Forrester; sisters-in-law, Eileen (Howard) Bennett and Elaine Forrester. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank her lifelong friend, Georgia Smith, for all her love and care; her close friends, Rose Bossert and Julie Johnston, for their companionship; and her neighbor, Shane, for his time and friendship. Heather will be forever missed by her faithful canine companion, Rylee.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC SPCA Kamloops would be greatly appreciated. Email: kamloops@spca.bc.ca

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