Pioneer founder of Silver Star Ski Club and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, Carl Wylie of Vernon and Eagle Bay passed away at home on Sunday, January 13th surrounded by his loving family.
Carl was 91, born in Vernon in 1916, he was of United Empire Loyalist stock. Carl was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, huckleberrying, backpacking, ski jumping (Revelstoke), sailing and gardening. He was a dedicated community volunteer and was the first Silver Star Ski Club President in 1938 and Trails Chairman for the North Okanagan Cross Country Ski Club in the 70’s and 80’s designing and building the first 30 kms of trails at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. He was a top cross-country ski competitor racing in local and World Masters events (Germany and Wisconsin). He and Flora were married in 1941 and spent their honeymoon skiing at the top of Mt. Revelstoke long before there was a road. Carl was a veteran of WWII. He enjoyed a 35 year career working for Okanagan Telephone then B.C. Tel as District Customer Service Manager. In his spare time he built a summer home at Eagle Bay without the benefit of electricity or machines. He loved music and was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of them sharing his passion for skiing and the outdoors. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, mentor and friend and his loss is the end of an era for the skiing community.
Carl is survived by his wife of 66 years, Flora and their 5 children: Anne (Done) Champion of Salmon Arm, Carol (Allan) Lamb of Prince George, Don (Kathy) Wylie of Vernon, Eleanor (Tom) Marshall of Deep Creek and Shannon (Robbie Short) of Vernon. He is survived by 9 grandchildren: Warren (Lyn) Staff and Samara Staff of Salmon Arm, Rob Staff (Fort McMurray), Dr. Eric Lamb (Kirsten Ketilson) of Saskatoon, Heather Lamb (Mexico), Jamie Marshall (UVic), Matt Wylie, Beth Wylie and Alysson Marshall all of Vernon and great-grandson Ethan Staff. Carl was predeceased by his little great-granddaughter Sarah Jane Staff in 2003.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, January 24th at 2 p.m. at the Schubert Centre, 3505 30th Ave., Vernon. Any stories you have to share of Carl would be appreciated.
Donations may be made in Carl’s memory to: Vernon Hospice House, 3506 27th Ave., Vernon, B.C. V1T 1S4 or the B.C. Lung Association, 2675 Oak St., Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2K2.