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Archie was born at North Battleford, Sask. March 19, 1926 and passed away in the Burns Lake Hospital on Oct. 25, 2012 at the age of 86. He was the first son of Bill and Mary Patterson and the 3rd of eight children.

The Patterson family moved to Burns Lake in 1929, Archie received his first schooling in Burns Lake and the family then moved to Henry Volkman’s place at Noralee in 1940. This is where Archie and Jean Brewer first met at the Noralee school. Archie in grade 8 and Jean in grade 7. After grade 8 Archie left school and joined the work force. He worked for various farmers, namely Herman Johnson at Trout Creek and Fay Short at Owen Lake then a move to Burns Lake in 1943. He worked at the first sawmill at Babine Lake owned by Deak and Evan Nobles then to Prince George to work on the airport for a few months then back to Colleymount working for Tyson Radley in threshing season and then to Joe Bohmans at Tatalrose as a faller.

In 1944 the Patterson family moved to Prince Rupert where Archie worked on a lighthouse tender for a few months then to Lindseys Cartage until joining the army at 18 years of age - like so many young people to join the war effort. He took his basic training at Maple Creek, Sask. for three months then advanced training at Calgary, Alberta for three more months and then went over seas, serving in England, Belgium, Holland and Germany. When the war ended he applied for industrial leave and worked for his brother in-law Leo Hietala hacking ties from January til April then he was called back to Vancouver for army discharge.

Archie and Jean Brewer were married on Sept. 17, 1946 at Prince Rupert. They started a family in July 27, 1947 when son Albert was born and daughter Marion was born Dec. 2, 1949.

In 1948 Archie and Jean bought Bill Bunkey’s place up near the end of Short road at Colleymount where they farmed for three years. Archie worked for the Shorts in the winter in a saw mill and built up a herd of cattle. Prices for beef were exceptionally high in 1951 and they decided to move so they sold their cows and with the $10,500 they paid off this farm and then bought their place in Palling from Terrance Laugheed, 80 acres. They lived there for 36 years. They always participated in all community activities and Archie was always at the work bees - hall - beach etc.

Archie was a fierce competitor and he participated in many of the loggers sports events and won many trophies and prizes. Chopping was one of his specialties, very good with an ax. Other activities Archie enjoyed over the years consisted of playing a few ball games with the Palling Orphans in the late 50s, running and catching little greasy pigs at local picnics. Getting firewood, ski-dooing and the #1 enjoyment was camping and fishing on Francois Lake.

While working at Sheardowns grocery store near where All West Glass is now, Archie packed 4 - 100lb sacks of flour on his back from the warehouse to James Toms bakery in the Kaler building where Flowers for all Occasions is now. Larry Disher and Jim Everead acted as helpers so the flour wouldn’t fall off his back.

One other game was at a circus where you hit a weight with a sledge hammer, the weight goes up a pole and rings the bell. Well Archie had had a couple of ounces of encouragement and says to the attendant “Do I gets two prizes if I ring the bell with one hand?” He did it many times and many gathered around to watch. He only got one prize.

Archie worked for Hank Pearson Lumber for a few years and later owning his own logging truck from 1976 - 1984. After selling his logging truck he drove school bus from 1984 - 1991 at which time he retired.

Archie and Jean sold the 80 acres at Palling and bought Dennis Terry’s house on Mulvaney Crescent 1987.

As a young boy Archie many times hooked up his dads team and sleigh or wagon - down to the lake, filled some 45 gallon drums with water and sold them for 25¢ a barrel. This contributes to his work ethics.

Archie was predeceased by his parents Bill and Mary Patterson, his sisters Marguarite Hietala, Nathaleen Wheeler, brothers Jerry and Douglas. Brother in laws Bart Cox, Barney Wheeler, Dave Olson, Larry Disher, Leo Hietala.

Survived by three sisters Jeanne Olson, Pat Disher, Aline Cox. His wife of 66 years, son Albert “Audrey,” daughter Marion Wall “Garry Wood.” Grandchildren: Curtis Patterson, Clifford Patterson “Angy”, Carren Wilson “Randy”, Robert Patterson. Great grandchildren: Kyle, Lorne, Allan Wilson, Rylan Patterson, Cole Patterson. Many nieces and nephews.

Archie will be sadly missed by family and friends.



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