Albert was born on November 8, 1916 in Birtle, Manitoba to Richard & Clara (Larcombe) Page and passed away peacefully at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm at the age of 94 on Friday, August 5, 2011. Known as “Bert” to some, he was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Viola, Edith, Melba, Murray & Morris, son Larry and daughter Lorna (Tony) Horvat.
Albert is survived by his devoted & loving wife, Laurette, of 68 years and his children Wayne of Penticton; Muriel (Alan) Bowerman of Kamloops; Sandra (Mel) Sandaker, Wendy (dec.-Bill) Wilcox and Ester (Larry) Arrowsmith all of Salmon Arm; Sylvia (Rick) Graham of Airdrie, AB; one sister Jean Hall in Ontario; daughter-in-law Linda Page of Surrey, 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Albert spent most of his youth in the Birtle/Winnipeg area and moved to BC in his early 20’s, exploring the farmlands of Armstrong & Winfield, before settling in Vancouver. It was here where he met the love of his life, Laurette, while working in the coalyard. He married her and they settled down on their 5 acre farm on Triangle Road in Richmond, often telling her at the end of the day that he “shovelled 16 tons of coal today”. Albert & Laurette added 7 children to their Richmond home before moving to the 160 acre homestead on Lidstone Road in Salmon Arm in 1964, adding one more child to the family in 1965. Daughter Lorna stayed in Richmond with her husband and children, as did sons Wayne & Larry, who stayed behind to start their adult lives on the farm in Richmond. Sadly, Larry’s life came to a tragic end in 1972 while working as a firefighter in Richmond.
Albert had many occupations through the years from millwright to construction worker, but farming was in Albert’s blood all through his youth. This carried on into the time the family spent in Richmond. It was his dream to farm the land, maybe in honor of his grandfather, Samuel Larcombe, who was known as “the Wheat King of Manitoba”. Albert & Laurette farmed the property in Salmon Arm for more than 25 years before moving into town in 1990.
Albert loved to reminisce about his time growing up in Manitoba and spent many hours at McGuire Lake, waiting for anyone to come along that he could strike up a conversation with. Some visits he would be lucky enough to meet someone travelling through from the Prairies that he could exchange stories with.
Albert’s faith in God was a part of every day of his life, and he spent his last few years at Bastion Place enjoying the Sunday services and Friday night musical gatherings as time to praise his Lord. He loved to listen to hymns and sing along, or would simply hum along or clap his hands if he didn’t know the words.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Albert at the Shuswap Community Church, 3151-6th Ave NE at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2011 followed by a tea and internment of Albert’s ashes at Mt. Ida Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Albert. Photos and memories of Albert and expressions of sympathy can be emailed to the family at esterarrow@gmail.com. or through Albert’s obituary at www.bowersfurneralservice.com.
Funeral Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium.