“We
say goodbye to Dalbert (Dal) Duane Varney, who passed peacefully after a
year-long battle with cancer. He is survived by his faithful and loving
wife of 49 years Patricia, his three children Sheila (Dave), Darren (Kirsten)
and Conrad, his grandchildren Brittany, Jonathan (Britt), Elaina and Lindsey,
his great grandchild Alaric, sister Verna, brother Carmen, brother-in-law Ken
and sister-in-law Vivian and their families. He is pre-deceased by his
parents Amos and Viola Varney, Patricia’s parents Harry and Alma Patrick, his
brother-in-law Garnet (Vivian), and his first wife Shirley (nee Martens).
Dal
lived a full life, filled with an appreciation for hard work, common sense and
love of family. Dal started his career as an electrician working in the
potash mine at Rocanville SK. It is there that he met and married a farm
girl named Pat.
Soon
after marriage, Dal moved his family north, where he worked as a Journeyman
Electrician and Journeyman Millwright in the mining industry in Northern
Canada. Places that Dal and family called home include Clinton Creek YT,
Stewart BC, and Faro YT. Finally, in 1985, he moved his family’s home
base to Kamloops BC, where he resided until his passing.
Dal’s
career spanned several industries including:
Mining (Potash, Asbestos, Copper, Lead/Zinc, Diamond, Gold)
Volunteer Firefighter
Manufacturing (Clay products)
Construction/Maintenance (Thompson Rivers University, School Board of Lillooet)
Paper Delivery (Kamloops This Week)
Dal
was a Legion member. He worked many elections at all levels of
government. Dal also volunteered many hours of his time to successfully
petition against the introduction of the HST in BC.
Dal
had a strong love for family. He loved his wife Pat, his children, his
grandchildren and his great grandson. Family fun always seemed to center around
the backyard pool, where many practical jokes were played and fond memories
were made.
Dal
also made ample room in his family for his pets. Sparky the dog, several
Siamese cats, Peachy the cockatiel, and more recently Bunker and Hector the
cats.
Dal
was a stock car driver in his younger years, and absolutely LOVED
snowmobiling. So it is no coincidence that he chose to spend many years
of his life in northern locations where it was so easy to get out and ride.
Dal
and Pat loved spending time on the road, in their RV, visiting with family and
friends across both Canada and the US. Country music was also a big part
of Dal’s life, and he spent weekends a number of years volunteering for the
local country music festivals. He also made the pilgrimage that many country
music fans envy, down to Nashville TN.
Dal
survived some significant health setbacks in his years. He recovered from
a case of West Nile Virus. He ran into some heart health issues,
requiring an ICD and eventually a quintuple-bypass heart operation.
During one of his DIY projects, Dal slipped and fell off the garage roof,
landing on cement surfaces below. He spent the rest of that summer
recovering from a shattered hip, broken arm, wrist and heel. But his
strength of will brought him back from all these situations to a near full recovery.
Dal’s
final “job” was as a paper carrier in his local Kamloops neighborhood. He
had a three-wheeled bike with a large basket on the back, and looked at his job
as a source of exercise more than a source of income. As a testament to
his commitment and work ethic, Dal carried on with his delivery job even as his
cancer took painful hold of his body. He finally gave up the job when it
became evident that he couldn’t carry on without intense pain.
He
is dearly missed, and will always be remembered.’
A Silent Tear
Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I’m really still there inside your mind
Don’t cry for me now I’m gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear
Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
I’m in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as “up above”
Author
Unknown”
Offer Condolence for the family of Dalbert (Dal) Duane Varney 1940 – 2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dalbert Dal Duane Varney 1940 – 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique