JOHANSEN — Oscar Alfred Johansen, aged 75, of Ashcroft passed away peacefully at Ashcroft Hospital on Nov. 24, 2004.
Sincere thanks to the Doctors and Nurses in Ashcroft, and at Royal Inland Hospital for their dedicated care of Oscar.
Oscar was born in Ryley, Alberta on June 26, 1929, the son of the late Reinhardt and Alice (Eggen) Johansen. He cherished his Norwegian heritage.
Oscar is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Libby), one son by his first marriage Ray (Donna), and step-grandson Philip in Maple Ridge, step-brothers Harold (Elsie) Glencross in Edmonton, and Arnold (Pat) of Vancouver Island. A third step-brother Arthur predeceased Oscar.
Oscar lived an interesting life in many places in British Columbia after moving from Alberta: Vancouver, Victoria, Sooke, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Sointula, Ashcroft and Watson Lake, Yukon.
His occupations ranged from working in a cheese factory in Alberta, and grading eggs at an egg-grading station to delivering telegrams by bicycle, driving bus (commercially, school, and his own), fishing commercially in the Pacific Ocean, farming, working at an oyster farm shucking oysters, operating a restaurant, tour guiding, and finally postal clerk and postmaster.
Wherever Oscar went he enjoyed helping anyone in need, and was always involved in community affairs and projects such as fund raising for the first Jaws of Life for the Fire Dept. in Ashcroft, or with the Lions Club being a driving force in creating the Thompson View Manor. Over the years he had been a member of Kinsmen Club, fire departments, Lions Club, the Canadian Postmasters Association, environmental-concern groups, Hospital Board, Village of Ashcroft Council as Mayor from 1971-1974, and TNRD representative.
He had a talent for organization and getting things done. Oscar loved old-time music, playing the spoons, and dancing-especially the old-time waltz, schottische, and polka. Some people here will remember the Down-East Soirees with lobster dinners that he organized. He was a great cook, and delighted in his annual Norwegian Christmas baking which he generously shared. He thoroughly enjoyed gardening, and his vegetable garden and fruit trees were his pride and joy. His favorite sport was curling.
A Memorial Service was held on Thursday Dec. 2nd, 2004 at 2:00 pm at the Zion United Church in Ashcroft followed by a reception at the Ashcroft River Inn. Should friends so desire donations in memory of Oscar may be may to a charity of ones choice.
Thompson Valley Funeral Home Ashcroft entrusted with Cremation arrangements