Henry (Hank) William Saunders passed away peacefully on November 27, 2018 at the Trail Regional Hospital. Hank was born in Winnipeg to John Louis and Wilhelmina Janet Saunders. He was pre-deceased by his wife Bernice and grandson Raymond. He is survived by his children; Mark Saunders (Gail Calderwood), Lori (Darrel) Rieberger, Velda (Bob) Besso, and Vern (Karolyn) Hesketh, grandchildren; Lindsay, Tessa, Kelsey, Claire, Cameron, Tony and Kim as well as great-grandchildren; Mitchell, Kyle, Nicholas, Andrew and Rachel and great-great-granddaughter; Adaline and siblings Gordon Saunders of Marathon, Ontario and Marilyn Smith of Kingston, Ontario and their families.
Hank went to school in Winnipeg then to the RCAF in 1942 where he became a Wireless Air Gunner. He served in #45 Atlantic Transport Command out of Dorval, PQ and RAF Transport Command in Asia during World War 2. He returned to Canada in 1946 and worked briefly with Trans Canada Airlines and the Department of Transport, for a brief period.
In 1949 Hank joined Teck Cominco (CM&S) as a radio operator in Yellowknife at the Con Mine. He moved the Trail to work in the instrumentation shop and retired as the Head of Instrumentation and Communication in 1984 after 35 years. He loved his work and remained fascinated by the technology in particular computers. Next to glazed donuts, Bernice was the great love of his life and they jointly pursued a passion for golf. He and Bernice spent many happy years travelling and golfing in Canada and the United States.
The proverbial favorite uncle, Hank was loved by all who knew him. He had a strong connection to family and friends and always took a deep interest in people and what they were doing. He had a youthful curiosity about people and things that he never lost. He had a great sense of humour and undeniable charm. He will be missed.
The family would like to thank Serendipity Support Services – Laurie Boyes, Bernice Crockett and Noella Morris, Trail Hospice, Dr. Stephanie Cameron, the doctors and nursing staff on the 3rd floor at Trail Regional Hospital and the staff of Rosewood Village.
Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Hank’s name may be made to Trail Hospice Society at Suite 7 Kiro Wellness Centre, 1500 Columbia Avenue, Trail, BC, V1R 1J9 or online at www.trailhospice.org
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Henry Hank William Saunders November 27th 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique