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Glenn Birtle - born in Unity, Saskatchewan April 19th 1930, died at home in Courtenay, BC November 17th, 2009 with family at his side.

Our wonderful, caring, patient and devoted Dad is no longer in pain after a courageous five-year fight with cancers. Predeceased by wife Eleanor (McLeod) in 2005 Dad will leave a large void in daughter Brenda and son-in-law Terry Thompsons’ life here in the valley, Sunday dinners will never be the same. Also mourning are his loving daughters Sharon (husband Ed Schewaga) of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Lori (husband Paul Parsons) of Kemptville, Ontario. Grandchildren Michael Thompson of Singapore, Shalene Thompson (husband Steve Scott) of Oxford Mills, Ontario, Amanda Schewaga (Chris) of Calgary, Alberta, Derek Schewaga and Cheri Schewaga of Regina, Saskatchewan, Keith Parsons (Lisa) of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Brian Parsons of Kemptville, Ontario.

Dad was a country boy and loved working on the farm especially during haying season. He worked for the CN Railway from 1950 to 1955 during which he did a stint in Korea from 1951 – 1952 as a truck driver bringing supplies to camps, Dad never ate mutton again when back in Canada. Returning home it was back to the CNR and marriage to mom and starting his family. Dad then drove a limo for the Lt. Governor of Alberta, Mr. J. J. Bolen. Dad then went on to drive transport truck for the Province of Alberta including transporting dinosaur bones to Drumheller and driving so far up north the sun didn’t shine and you did not dare turn off your engine because of the cold or it would never start again. In 1967 for our Centennial project, Dad moved the family from Alberta to Comox Valley in hope of a better life for his girls. Being a hard working man Dad did anything to put food on the table; milked cows, laid brick, dug ditches and drove a fuel truck for GH Smith (Gulf). Eventually he settled into construction work going back to school to become a surveyor’s assistant and helped build roads through out the island and BC including the Coquihalla highway. Dad retired in 1992 becoming a “snowbird” with mom visiting Arizona and Mexico in their 5th wheel. They also enjoyed a number of trips across Canada to visit family and friends. Dad enjoyed fishing off Bates Beach, listening to old country and western music, dancing, working with wood and fixing anything that needed to be fixed a real handy guy we will miss. More recently Dad looked forward to Evergreen Seniors Mystery trips, bird watching, walking early in the morning at the Airpark, and at Driftwood mall with the walkers club and his friend Lola, also the excitement of the arrival of his first great grandchild in the New Year.

We would like to thank the Red Cross for the use of equipment, the Hospice Society for their assistance, the Home and Community Care Nursing staff and the daily workers who all helped Dad during his last months for your care and guidance. Thank you to Dr. Tinmouth for his years of care with Dad and our special thank you to Dr. Barb Fehlau for her wonderful care and friendship with Dad.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Dad to the Comox Valley Cancer Society for the travel van to and from Victoria Cancer Clinic, or the Red Cross equipment for the Valley or the Comox Valley Hospice Society.

A wee tea will be held at Dad’s home (#8 1905 Willemar Ave, WoodGlen, parking on Willemar) on Sunday, November 22nd from 2 – 3 pm.




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