Pat passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the age of 94.
Pat was born in Enderby, BC on February 17, 1924 to Katherine and Lawson Stroulger and grew up on the family farm on Grandview Bench in the North Okanagan. An entrepreneurial young man, he turned his hand from farming to business owning a gas station and garage, car dealership and taxi service as well as driving the local school bus.
He married Edna Johnston in 1949 and they lived in Enderby until moving with their children, Fae and Neal, to Kamloops in the summer of 1958. There, after working in heavy equipment sales and service, Pat struck out on his own and engaged in land development. He also took up farming again on the South Thompson as well as in Alberta. Pat and Edna returned to Enderby in 2000 where they built a beautiful home and garden.
Pat’s analytical skills, creativity and strong work ethic inherited from his homesteader parents served him well in his farming and business endeavours. He loved to plan and build, deriving great pleasure in completing a complex project. He was an extraordinary problem solver, could fix just about anything and, with a Grade 8 education punched way above his weight.
Pat’s social interests included bowling, square dancing and playing cards with friends and he always loved a good party. He enjoyed playing and coaching baseball and hockey and remained a loyal Maple Leafs fan until the end.
In his later years in Enderby, Pat contributed to a community project for the Museum and Archives and spearheaded the housing project for the Enderby Memorial Housing Society.
Pat was predeceased by his brother Bob and sisters Margaret Pritchard, Florence Waby, and Molly Arnold. He is survived by his wife Edna, daughter Fae DeBeck (Dave), son Neal (Genevieve), grandchildren Ned DeBeck, Grahame Stroulger (Claire), Steve Stroulger (Kristy), Tara Palmer (Wes) Alexandra Stroulger and eight great-grandchildren.
Much loved, he has left a large impression on our hearts and minds and will be greatly missed.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital and The Hamlets at Westsyde for their kindness, care and support.
Following Pat’s wishes, there will be no service.
8 Tributes
Dear Edna, Fae, Neil and family;
Brian and I send our deepest sympathy for the death of your beloved Pat. We didn’t know him well but there was never a doubt that when around Pat you were always entertained with a good story and a little chuckle! We’ll remember him as a hard working, fun loving man that was a hero to his family, but as we know, even hero’s must rest. Take care, love Brian and Donna McMillan
Pat was truly a special man. He could do
a lot with very little and it was fun to
watch him work through a problem differently
than most people. He was probably brilliant.
And he will be missed. We send our condolences to his entire, wonderful family.
Dear Neal and Genevieve,
Deepest heartfelt sympathy to you both and your family. He was a wonderful man, and had some good conversations with him.
Arlana and Ron VanBuren
Dear Edna, Fae, Neal and families,
A truly extraordinary man has left this earth! Pat was one of the most interesting individuals one could meet. His incredibly inventive mind was one of the things I remember most, imagine inventing machines to do specific jobs, then making it! I was in awe! No engineer could shine a light to his skill.
Now, party, yes, this man could dance up a storm and close the place down in the wee hours. I do remember a few fun times in the Stroulger basement on New Years!
Last time I saw Pat was when Dad and I visited he and Edna in Enderby. He was still tinkering with engines in the basement, not sure he ever took a day off in his life.
I pray he is at peace, and watching over his families…
I am sure some of his inventiveness lives on in his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dear Fae, Dave, Neal and families: Sending you heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your father and knowing that you are all in our thoughts. Although I didn’t know your father, I can only know the work ethic and dedication to getting the job done that I know is present in Fae and Neal came in part from a wonderful and dedicated father. I remember Neal building kayaks in your basement years ago on the family farm. Fae, I know your parents are a huge part of your lives right now and his loss will be sadly missed.
Take care and enjoy all those great memories.
Phil and Gloria Youwe.
Dear Edna and Family, we are Lori and Mehdi Salem kamloops Bc. U sold us your house aprox 15 years ago 644 Pine st. U met my husband in Valyview at the condos u we’re selling. We weren’t interested, so u let us know your pine st. House was going to be put on the Market. Well we really hit it off with u 2. And the rest is Happy history. We are still here, renovated the inside and put a bigger deck. U still came around to visit Maria and Leo, we are great friends still with Maria and daughter Daniella (moved in after Leo passed) so our heart ♥️ felt Condolences to u Edna. Pats work Ethic was unsurpassable, Edna u strike me as a Strong Woman. Take Care Love Kind Regards The Salems: Mehdi, Lori,Safia15 Kahlied28 ♀️
So sorry to hear of Pats passing, we are Mehdi and Lori salem of kamloops bc. We met u and pat when we were house hunting in Valiview. Pat I believe was selling condos across from a Pub. Well Mehdi and Pat hit it right off. We enjoyed his talk of the olden days, with such a strong work Ethic present. So he let us know he would be selling his house on PineSt. Well we are still HAPPLY here as we speak. Very good friends with Maria and Daniella, Leo passed years back. We feel truly blessed to have a wonderful home and such lovely neighbors. Edna u struck me as a a strong woman who shared the same Ethic. Our Heartfelt Condolences to you and your whole Family. One more thing, Mehdi never did Take the Sign down that Patleft for him: “Think their must be a harder way” Like I said in a short time of home dealings they struck up a Genuine connection.Take Care Love Hugs and Kind Regards Mehdi, Lori, Kahlied28, Safia15
Fae,Neal,Genevieve,David,Edna and Family
Neal just told me of Pat’s passing and I just wanted to express my condolences at this moment in time. But as life continues to move along I am left with wonderful memories of my days growing up with you and coming to know Pat and Edna. Pat will always be an inspiration to me with his magnificent spirit and how he engaged others and the world around him. And I have always admired his mechanical ingenuity from a distance as I would see it expressed in his son work. I have come to realize there must be a few rainy days in life for flowers to appear with the Son’s rays in another day.
With that hope my heart goes out to you and your dear family.
Regards, Peter Bellos