After a lengthy battle with cancer, Dan passed away quietly at Hospice House on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. Dan and his twin brother Sam were born in a cabin at Buck Lake, Alberta, on Jan. 20, 1925, joining their brother John and sister Taffy.
Dan served in the Canadian Armed Forces towards the end of WWII. Following his service, he did a variety of work from bartending to construction before completing his plumbing and heating apprenticeship. Dan then operated his own commercial plumbing and heating business in Calgary. During this time he met and married Joyce. They moved to 100 Mile House in the early ‘80s and built their retirement home on Fawn Lake Road. They both worked as guards for the local RCMP detachment. When Joyce became ill, they and their much loved little dog “Brew”, moved to Kamloops in 1995. Joyce passed away on June 21, 1998.
Dan was happiest keeping busy with home improvements, gardening, fishing and camping. He made a few trips across Canada in his motor home, supporting the Canadian Legions and Army and Navy Clubs wherever his travels took him. He, along with his friend and companion Verna, also enjoyed trips to Mexico, Cuba and the Panama Canal. A few years ago, Dan added a new dog to his home and “Abba” brought a great deal of happiness and comfort to both Dan and Verna.
As well as Joyce, Dan is predeceased by his parents, siblings and nephew Lenny. He is survived by Verna Lister and her family: Dave (Terry) Prehara, Mike (Sue) Prehara and Debbie (Harry) Miller, as well as Joyce’s children: Donna (Ken) Youngson-Gay, Bruce (Glenys) Youngson and Linda Youngson, and Lenny’s wife Marion Haller and various nieces and nephews.
We wish to thank Dr Jennifer Thomas, the medical staff at RIH and Home Care, and the staff of Hospice House for their care of Dan.
Dan requested there be no service, however there will be an informal gathering for friends and family to remember Dan on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at The Army & Navy Club, #9 – 177 Tranquille Road, Kamloops (the former Beach House Restaurant), from 2 to 5 p.m.
If you wish to make a donation in Dan’s memory, consider the Kamloops Hospice Association or the Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon Division.