Lynn Armstrong Christie passed away January 14, 2010 at the Seniors Village in Williams Lake, BC at the age of 95.
Lynn was born on September 2, 1914 in Edmonton, Alberta to Clara (Weston) and John Christie, the fifth child in a family of seven. He grew up in and
around Edmonton, spending summers on
his family’s farm. The family moved to Peers, Alberta in his teens where he finished his schooling in a one room high school. In 1938, the family moved to Vancouver.
Lynn enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders in 1940, and trained at Portsmouth, England as a topographical surveyor with the Royal Canadian Engineers. In 1944/45 he surveyed for heavy artillery, and bridge locations in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
After the war, he attended UBC and earned his Bachelor of Commerce in 1948. He married Doreen Stewart on September 2, 1950 in Vancouver and they enjoyed a close relationship for 58 years. They lived in Vancouver until 1959 when they moved to Burbank, California where Lynn worked as a cost accountant for Hydro-Aire. In 1964, they returned to Vancouver and Lynn worked at Ellet’s Copper and Brass. Daughters Joy and Anne were born in Vancouver, and Jean in California.
Lynn and Doreen bought the hotel in McBride, BC in 1969 in partnership with Doreen’s sister and brother-in-law, and managed it together for five years. Their retirement years were spent in both Penticton and Williams Lake so that they could be near the grandchildren.
Lynn had a bright and active mind with an incredible memory for events, people, places and dates. He worked hard all of his life, and was always very supportive of his family. In earlier years he loved horseback riding, and enjoyed gardening, walking, hiking, curling and exploring museums and art galleries. He was always ready to play board games and card games.
Lynn is survived by his daughters Joy (Kris) Miller, Prince George, Anne Smith, Williams Lake and Jean (John) Huhman, League City, Texas; grandchildren Ben (Joanne) Miller, Michael Miller, Jamie Smith, Andrea Smith, Aaron Kingery and Jessica Kingery; sisters-in-law Grace and Jean Stewart; and many nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his wife Doreen in September 2008; by his brothers John and Walter, and his sisters Muriel Coleman, Emily Haines, Margaret Christie and Nelda MacMullen.
Donations may be made in memory of Lynn to the Canadian Cancer Society. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 19th. Further details will be announced.
LaPrairie’s Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. 250-398-9100.