OBITUARY
Willis “Ivan” Saunderson
July 4, 1930 – November 19, 2018
In loving memory of Ivan (Willis) Saunderson
born July 4, 1930 in Carn, County Fermanagh, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.
Ivan passed away peacefully on November 19, 2018 in Burnaby BC, with his loving wife Joanne and two step-children by his side.
Predeceased by his parents George and Margaret Saunderson (nee Eaton), brothers Robert, Walter and Percy; sisters Irene and Ethel; sister-in-law Dolly, brother-in-law Ed and his first loving wife Lynn (nee Sjostrand).
Ivan is survived by his loving wife Joanne, his younger brother Jim and sister-in-laws Suzanne and Marlene Sjostrand. Lovingly missed and remembered by family including: nephews Ivan, Roy, Jim (Helen) and Billy (Myrtle); nieces Sharon (David) Gail (Bryant), Vivian (Barry), Irene (Malcolm), and great nephew Elliot and great niece Aurora and his step-children Derek, Steve (Lesley), Debbie (Wayne), Raymond, his step-grandchildren Candice (Mark), Adam, Sarah, Luke and first great step-grandchild Hudson, as well as the Wehrle family of Manitoba and many other great nephews and nieces and cousins in Ireland, Scotland, Saskatchewan and around the worl
Ivan thought there’s got to be more to life than milking cows on the Irish farm so he crossed the Atlantic and came to Canada in 1957 and made home in downtown Vancouver. He worked in the pulp and paper mill at Port Alice for a short time, but most of his career was working in the Warehouse at Woodwards until he retired to look after his first wife Lynn for seven years until she passed away.
Ivan loved reading and literature, poetry and prose and he could easily roll out quotes from famous authors, poets and others in a split second. His intelligence was amazing and he was always ready with a witty joke or line to make everyone laugh. He was a gentle, kind and humble soul and a true gentleman! He loved gardening and had a green thumb and enjoyed the outdoors and many walks in the trails of North Burnaby and later in Central Park. He enjoyed pitch and putt golf and was a great lawn bowler and looked super handsome in his white garb and English style cap. Travel was also a passion of his and he loved to cruise. He and Joanne made numerous trips to countries around the world. One of his favourite trips was to Barbados and from Vancouver to Alaska, Russia, Japan and China and then onto the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia over to South America and the Hawaiian Islands.
Ivan was truly special and loved by all his many family here and abroad and many special friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, his wonderful smile and his gentle loving heart. He was stoic and brave and patient to the very end and kept us laughing with his lovely humour. Forever in our hearts and memories, you are missed dearly. Till we meet again.
Celebration of Ivan’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the South Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club 4000 Kingsway where Ivan was a member.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your favourite charity are greatly appreciated. Donations to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank will be collected at the Celebration of Life. Thank you.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MeM.com for the Saunderson family.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Willis Ivan Saunderson 2018..
Death notice for the town of: north-Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique