Wilfred Fairburn
October 19, 1946 - October 20, 2012
The Fairburn family announces the passing of Wilfred Fairburn on October 20, 2012 at the age of 66.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years Rebecca; children Andrew (Meghan Lee) and Laura; grandson Lyndon; siblings Judy (Ray) Desaulniers, Wayne (Bonnie), Ernie (Ramona), Garth (Lou), Lorraine (George) Beaulieu, Tina (Lou) Pilaszkiewicz, Clinton (Kelly); many nephews and nieces; stepmother Doris Fairburn of Clinton, BC; cousins Fairburns (Tacoma, Washington), Sartorius’ (Maple Ridge & Langley), Schuks/Nicholsons/Hamms/Holts (out west) Wilsons (Williams Lake and Kamloops), Switzers (BC, Alberta & Saskatchewan); mother-in-law Erna (John) Peters (Abbotsford), sisters-in-law Karen (Dan) Poirier (Cranbrook), Maureen (Ivor) Marriott (Prince George); brother-in-law Randy (Grace) Beaumont (Surrey), one nephew and four nieces on that side of the family.
He was predeceased by his mother Ora Joyce Fairburn of Kamloops (1998), his father Erwin Fairburn of Williams Lake (2006), his father-in-law John Poor of Williams Lake (1985) and his step-father Edward Dale of Kamloops (1997).
Wilfred was born October 19, 1946 in Vancouver, BC to Erwin and Ora Joyce Fairburn. He was the oldest of eight children. He lived in Vancouver, Port Alberni, Fisherman’s Cove, Greenwood, Grand Forks and possibly a few other places, too, before coming to Williams Lake in 1953.
Wilfred received his education attending schools in Grand Forks and Williams Lake, and after worked for Arms Brothers, Boss Mountain, Lignums, Jacobson Brothers Forest Products that turned into Riverside (where Wilfred went onto disability), then saw it change to Tolko (when he went into retirement). He worked for Jacobson Brothers/Riverside/Tolko for over 30 years.
He met Rebecca Poor on July 2, 1971, and they married April 8, 1972. Together, they raised two children. Wilfred loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping and took his family on numerous trips, leaving them with great memories.
He was jack of all trades, as he did his own mechanics, wood working/carpentry, some plumbing/heating/electrical. If he didn’t know how to do something he would buy a book on it, read about it and then get the job done. He loved music and old Western and War movies. Wilfred took Computer Programming and PC Repairs to enhance what he was teaching himself on the computer and got diplomas in both, with highest honours in PC Repairs.
He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, watching him grow and learn. He bought him a new bike and was so happy when he got to see him ride it without the training wheels on, as he didn’t think he would get to see that day. Wilfred liked day lilies and irises and planted many in their yard.
Wilfred was taken off the job in 2002 and put on disability, we found out later he had Multiple Myeloma. It completely changed our plans for the future. He fought a hard battle with his cancer and lived five years longer than first thought.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hagler of Kelowna, Dr. Avanessian of Kamloops and Dr. Hutchinson and Dr. Labossiere of Williams Lake and the nurses in Ambulatory Care in Williams Lake for the care they showed Wilfred.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Dr. Van Der Merwe who went above and beyond in Wilfred’s care (visiting, making many phone calls to the house, getting second opinions where necessary, etc.) We really appreciated her care of Wilfred.
A memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Calvary Church at 625 Carson Drive with Reverend Corwin Smid officiating. Donations can be made to the Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choice. Cremation was held at Cariboo Crematorium.
LaPrairie’s Funeral Services entrusted with the arrangements
250-398-9100