Al was actively involved in spearheading installation of the first TV service in Granisle in 1967, and coaching minor hockey and soccer. Environment and fishery renewal were two of Al's great passions. He raised rainbow trout commercially and after retirement in 1992 he hatched coho for the fisheries restocking program. Al was a founding member of Nadina Community Futures which he truly believed in. He was also a Legion member; enjoyed fiddle music and dancing, and had great dreams about gardening.
Al lived 44 years in the Burns Lake, Granisle, Houston, Topley area. His kind, gentle spirit and sense of humour will be remembered by all who encountered him.
Al will be greatly missed by his wife Anne, children Pat, Cathy (Rob), Joan (Frank), Glenn, Shelagh (Jill), his seven grandchildren and one great grandchild; his brother Ross (Peggy) and sister-in-law Olga and their families. He was predeceased by his parents; brother Earl and mother-in-law Marjorie Gammer.
Al was born in Tisdale, Sask. To Gordon and Tenie. He spent his early years in Sask. and Man. He was employed by the Hudson Bay Co. where he manned a fur trading post in N. Sask. He joined the R.C.A.F. in 1951 as a navigator. Al met Anne in 1952 in Whitehorse and they married in 1954. As a Flying Officer he instructed navigation with NATO forces in Winnipeg until his discharge. In 1959 Al and his two brothers bought a McLeods Store in Radville, Sask. In 1962 he relocated to B.C. with his family and found work in Burns Lake with Becks Dept. Store. He attended school in 1965 and started his electrical apprenticeship with Granisle Copper Mine in 1966. He later worked at Equity Silver and Bell Copper Mines.
A celebration of Al's life will take place on Sunday, October 8 2006 at 2:00 at the Topley Community Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.