We are saddened to share that Jon Ingdal passed away peacefully on July 19th surrounded by his family. After a 16 month illness we are deeply grateful he suffers no more. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ingrid, son Glen (Carrie), daughter Irene (Chris), brother Lars (Inger) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and his wife’s relatives in Norway. A proud Bestefar to Emily (d.2016), Jake, Benjamin, Lily, Gabriel and Pearl.
Born to Ragna Kvernmo Ingdal (d.1996) and Gabriel Ingdal (d.1983) in Ingdalen, Sor-Trondelag, Norway, he was raised on the farm along with his older brother, Lars, and younger brother, Erling (d.2013). It was here he learned his work ethic as well as developed a love for the outdoors; hiking, skiing, hunting and fishing. He studied at Skjetlein School of Agriculture for 2 years and served in the Norwegian Air Force at Vaernes, Trondheim.
In search of adventure and fortune, he immigrated to Canada in 1958, with a basic grasp of English and $100 from his father in his wallet. He found work on Vancouver Island as a logger and a labourer and it was there he began his 4 year heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship through MacMillan Bloedel. After 5 years in Port Hardy, it was time to try his luck in the big city, Vancouver. He worked at Mack Trucks on Granville Island until his retina detached, and after spending the summer in the hospital, reattachment was unsuccessful leaving him blind in one eye. Unfazed, he quickly got back into the workforce at Isuzu Diesel of BC before taking a job as a marine mechanic at Austin Marine in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour where he worked for 6 years. From 1973, until his retirement in 1999, he worked for Finning Tractor in their marine and generator divisions. The job included travel to the northern reaches of Canada, including the Beaufort Sea, NWT and the Yukon. He worked long hours on these trips but came back with a lasting appreciation for indigenous peoples artwork and culture.
Always by his side was his wife, Ingrid. He met this lovely Norwegian in Vancouver in 1965 through mutual friends and on August 17th, 1968, they were married in Norway in Ingdalen Chapel. The newlyweds returned to Canada and a short time later welcomed their son, Glen, in 1969 and daughter, Irene, in 1970. They lived in a modest apartment before buying Ingrid’s uncle’s house on Ferndale St. In 1974 they left the city and made the move to the suburbs of Coquitlam. It was there they enjoyed the next 48 years, raising their kids, gardening, cooking, entertaining, and traveling. Motorhome trips to Yellowstone and Minot, ND, the 24 hour ferry up to Prince Rupert with Glen’s family, driving to Seattle to see Irene’s family and many Las Vegas trips are only a few of the highlights. Although he emigrated from Norway, he was proud of his heritage and scrimped and saved in order to take his family back to Norway for many vacations that were filled with priceless memories. Welcoming hosts, the door to their home was always open to visitors for dinners, coffee, club meetings or a place to lay your head. If you had traveled far, you were assured a sightseeing trip around Vancouver, Victoria or the Caribou.
When the kids were young, Jon and Ingrid were active members of Tronderlaget Nidar and loved to attend dances and show off their dancing skills. Later, they became involved in Norwegian House Society and Jon was a regular volunteer with the ‘Tuesday Gang’ at the Scandinavian Centre. Manual labour, cooking up potato balls or waffles, he did it all with a smile. He loved to meet, talk and joke with people and will be remembered as a generous life-long friend to many.
Through the years, Jon found joy in many interests and hobbies including bridge club, golfing with his buddies as a member of Fort Langley Golf Club, coin-collecting, fishing at Loon Lake, taking his family for a ‘Sunday drive’, visiting with Finning retirees during their weekly coffee meetings and harness racing at Fraser Downs; but no greater joy than when he could spend time with his grandkids. He loved to visit with them, watching their sporting events and performances, going for walks, teaching them how to fix things, hearing about what they were up to and laughing at their antics. They will miss their Bestefar.
A celebration of Jon’s life will be held at the Scandinavian Community Centre (6540 Thomas St. Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9) on September 24th, 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Norwegian House Society c/o the Scandinavian Centre would be appreciated.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jon Ingdal Monday July 19th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Coquitlam, Province: Colombie britanique