Maurice was born the second son of Earl and Ellen Overend in Edmonton, Alberta. The couple, together with their four children, Mansell, Maurice, Livonia and Teresa, farmed and worked the Barrhead Garage until they packed up and moved to Penticton, BC in 1936. There, Maurice became an avid swimmer and outdoor adventurer. In 1939, he met Dorothy whom he courted and married in 1943. The couple moved to Vancouver and in 1944, Maurice enlisted in the Army and was waiting to be shipped overseas when peace was declared. In 1949, he got a job driving a horse-drawn milk delivery van and for the next thirty-six years “Big MO” worked as a milkman for Jersey Farms, Silverwoods’ and Dairyland. Maurice and Dorothy brought up their three children in the family home in East Vancouver. A keen sportsman, Maurice was always ready to “come out to play” not only with his own kids but neighbourhood kids as well. He instilled in his family a love of the great outdoors and summers hold special memories of camping trips where he taught everyone to waterski! In later years, Maurice and Dorothy RV’d to California and Arizona in winter and spent summers taking the next generation “camping” in their motorhome. After retiring in 1985, they moved out to Langley and in 2003 relocated to Courtenay to be closer to their daughters. Dorothy passed away in 2006 and Maurice lived the next ten years at Casa Loma until spending his last days at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox. The family is thankful to the residents and staff of Casa Loma as well as St. Joe’s for the care and friendship extended to Maurice. Remembering Maurice with love are daughters Linda (John Hobson) and Donna (Rod May), son Gary (Debbie); grandchildren Tamara, Justin (Savannah), Ashley (Jeff), Stefanie (Alfred), Karissa (Adam) and Jackson; great-grandchildren Brody, Brooke, McKenzie, Charlotte, Nailei and Addison; sister Teresa; nieces, nephews and friends. Thanks also to the staffs of both Courtenay A&W’s for the many memorable “fun-food” get-togethers.
A tall man with few words, he loved John Wayne movies and was brought to tears listening to Hank Williams’ songs. He was a true cowboy, following “The Duke’s” advice: “Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much”. (John Wayne).
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 17th at the Comox Legion from one to four pm.