With heartfelt sadness, the family of Rod Gollan announces his peaceful passing in Salmon Arm British Columbia on September 28, 2014, at the age of 85 years old.
Rod was born in Galahad, Alberta on October 20, 1928 to Roderick and Ethel Gollan, the oldest son of 12 children. He has 2 surviving siblings: Emily Gibbons of Calgary and Kenneth Gollan of Camrose. Pre-deceased by his loving wife Dorothy Eloise Gollan (nee McDermott); Grand Daughter April Gollan; brothers Murdo, John, Gilbert Gollan; and sisters Alice McDonald, Mary Newberry, Ethel Berry, Tory Reid, Rena Ward & Ivea McCauley.
Rod married Dorothy McDermott on October 27, 1948 – spent a few years looking after the farm in Battle Bend, Alberta homesteaded by his father who came from Scotland. He worked in Dawson Creek & Calgary for Slumberger, Hughenden for Alberta Underground Storage and then courageously moved his family out to Mara Lake British Columbia making the long trip over the Big Bend Highway in February of 1963. Rod purchased 20 acres and created Rogers Falls Campsite across from the Mara Provincial Park where he and Dorothy raised their 7 children. Rod also spent years being a heavy duty mechanic/welder – worked on the Mica Dam, for Baird Brothers Concrete and owned the Home Service Station in Enderby for several years.
A few of Rod’s favorite things to do included going south, hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards with friends, watching his children and then grandchildren play on the family ball team and spending time at the lake with the kids and grandchildren. He loved his family very deeply.
Left to carry on the legacy are his 7 children all residing in Salmon Arm and Surrounding area: Darcy (Kenora) Gollan, David (JoAnn) Gollan, Brian (Susan) Gollan, Darrell (Sue)Gollan, Tim Gollan, Cindy (Dave)Drew, Dena (Craig) Forsyth; his 16 grandchildren – Tracy (Dale) Felhauer of Cranbrook, Dalin (Katrina) Gollan, Dean (Laura) Gollan of Salmon Arm, Ross (Shannon) Gollan of Calgary, Christopher Gollan of Vancouver, Faithe Reimer of Kelowna, Shane Robertson of Kamloops, Nathan Gollan, Emma Gollan of Salmon Arm, Rod Gollan of Lee Creek, Cody Gollan of Enderby, Matthew Drew of Calgary, Natasha (Robert) Stutz of Penticton, Nichol Forsyth, Dustin (Kathy) Forsyth, and Britney Forsyth of Salmon Arm and his 12 great Grandchildren Jordyn and Jayme Felhauer, Tori and Jessi Gollan, Landen and Taya Gollan, Caiden & Austin Robertson, Adyssen Gollan, McKenna, Malia & Quinn Forsyth.
He will be dearly missed by friends and family. A celebration of Rod’s life will be held on Saturday afternoon, October 11, 2014 at Bowers Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the Mountainside room at Bowers.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Canadian Mental Health Association in Salmon Arm.
On line condolences may be sent to Rod’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home & Crematorium, Salmon Arm.