It is with great sorrow the family of Les McKenzie announce his peaceful passing on April 19, 2009 at the age of 84 years with his loving family at his side. He was born in Aneroid, Saskatchewan on May 9, 1924.
Les was predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Elizabeth McKenzie and brother, George McKenzie, all of Regina, SK and brothers-in-law, Henry Gerlitz, Calgary, AB and Jack Burroughs, Port Hardy, BC.
Les is survived by his loving wife, Jean; daughters, Lynn McKenzie and Donna (Keith) Miller, all of Salmon Arm; grandchildren Les and Rebecca Miller; sister, Beatrice Gerlitz of Calgary; sister-in-law, Marion Burroughs, Port Hardy; and nieces and nephews.
In his early years, Les enlisted in the armed services. Later, he moved to the lower mainland of BC where he met and married Jean. Les worked in the lumber industry and in 1965, he moved his family to Salmon Arm with the opening of HK Plywood in Canoe, a division of Federated Co-Op. Les was a volunteer with the Salmon Arm Fire and Ambulance Services and he was a 50 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Throughout his life, Les enjoyed and participated in baseball, hockey, bowling, curling and golf. He enjoyed many fishing trips with Jean to Vancouver Island and they enjoyed fishing in Revelstoke and surrounding areas with their friends, Jack and Agatha Raymond.
Les will be lovingly remembered, as he lived, by his many family and friends. A Celebration of Life service for Les was held from the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Jack Bowers officiating. A reception followed at the Mountainside Room.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Les may be made to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation, Box 265, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N3.
A special thank you to Dr. James Levins for his care and support during our family’s time of need. A special thank you to the wonderful nursing staff at Bastion Place palliative care unit during his brief stay and to Leona who put a smile on his face with her back rubs. A special thank you also to the staff at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to
sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com
Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium, Salmon Arm.
Arrangement entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, telephone 250-374-1454.