Noel Joseph Gooding passed away peacefully on May 19, 2016 at the George Derby Centre for Veterans in Burnaby, B.C., at the age of 93.
He will be remembered with love by his wife Winnifred “Win”; sisters Lila Dewhurst; Verle Carleton; sister-in-law Pat Gooding; sons Noel Jr. and Ronald; daughters Jackie (Stephan) Banks; Lynda (Dick) Brake (in England) and Raynelle (Marque) Padley (in Vernon); step daughters Colleen Waters; Darlene (Verdine) Mjolsness; extended family Pamela (Dirk) Wolbers; Robert and Richard Coleman; his grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and many caring friends. Noel was predeceased by his brother David and his parents Rose and Louis Gooding.
Noel was born in Lumby B.C. When he was young the family moved to Rossland where he went to school and subsequently joined the army at the age of 17, in 1940. He was sent to England in 1943 where he joined the Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry Highlanders. Noel took part in the D. Day invasion, liberating France, Belgium and Holland. He returned to Canada in 1946 and went to work at Lumby Timber where he joined the IWA. Twenty years later he moved to Prince George, IWA Local 1-424. He retired from the IWA in Williams Lake.
Noel was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 60 years. In retirement he loved to go fishing on the numerous lakes in the Cariboo. He also had a passion for golfing and spent many hours on the Williams Lake golf course. Noel was an avid bridge player and never missed his Tuesday night bridge games at the Senior Activity Centre.
His life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on June 25, 2016 at 2:00pm, with a tea to follow. Service will be at the Burquitlam Funeral Home, 625 North Road, Coquitlam, B. C.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations may be made to the George Derby Centre, 7550 Cumberland Street, Burnaby, B.C.V3N 3X5.