Obituary of Rolly Handfield
Rolland Albert (Rolly) Handfield, 78, of Dawson Creek passed away on November 21, 2020 at Rotary Manor. Rolly was born March 25, 1942, the 3rd of 4 children, to Martha and Arthur Handfield in Antler, Saskatchewan.
Rolly enjoyed a happy childhood growing up on a mixed farm. He had to leave school at a young age to help at home when his father suffered a stroke. At age 19, there was a drought and no crop so Rolly moved to Vancouver where he worked at a large GM dealership. Rolly met Carol in 1967 and they were married in 1968. This was the start of their adventures together. Before they were married, they bought an acre of land in Surrey. Although he had never built anything, Rolly decided he could build a house. He was never afraid to ask questions and take the time to learn. 1971 was a big year, with going into partnership in a mushroom farm, and, more importantly, with the arrival of their son Jeffrey in December. In 1973, Rolly and Carol bought five acres in Mt. Lehman and Rolly set to work building mushroom barns and another house. In January 1974 son Tobias (Toby) was welcomed to the growing family.
Rolly always loved cattle and operating machinery so in 1975 the family moved to bare ranch land north of Williams Lake. This time building the house was a bit more challenging with no power. Rolly built the house, corrals, calf shelters, and miles of fencing. Son Murray was welcomed in January 1978. Rolly bought a skidder and learned how to log some of their property. He referred to these years as the best years, but another move was in the future. With interest rates at 20% in 1981, it was more than a young family starting out could manage. The next move was to the west side of the Fraser River to a ranch that had an assumable mortgage at a locked-in rate. This ranch came with corrals and fencing, but also a house that was in need of a lot of work.
In 1986, the family made their final move to the Peace River country. They moved to a grain farm in Farmington. Again, there were corrals and fencing to be built and a house in much need of attention. By 2014, Rolly was working towards semi-retirement. In October, he suffered a massive stroke while starting the tractor. It was seven months of hospitalization and rehab before he would come home. Although he was in a wheelchair, Rolly was still able to get out and to enjoy his family coming for visits. By 2017, Rolly’s health was becoming more compromised and the hard decision was made for him to move to the manor.
Rolly was a quiet and private man. He valued his family above all else and was proud of his children and their families. He enjoyed time spent with friends, especially in small groups. He spent many years as a director of the Sunset Community Pasture and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He looked forward to having Thursday lunch with a number of other ranchers. He considered himself very lucky to be able to do the type of work he loved.
Rolly leaves behind his wife Carol, his sons Jeffrey (Lisa), Toby (Clarise), and Murray (Rebecca), grandchildren Naomi, Shayle, Charlie, Cassidy, Kim, and Jessi, and great-granddaughter Aria, sisters Priscilla Cowan and Rosemarie (Adrien) Bourgeois, brother-in-law Gerry (Margaret) Belec, and sister-in-law Mary (David) Ross. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brother Rene. Inurnment at Sunrise Cemetery and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank everyone at Rotary Manor, especially those on the 3rd floor for their kind and compassionate care of Rolly especially during the last few months. Thank you to Father Vener Sabacan of Notre Dame Parish and Reynar’s Funeral Home.
Due to COVID restrictions, a private family service was held. For friends so wishing, donations in Rolly’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rolly
Handfield 1942 2020..
reynars funeral home & crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Dawson, Province: Colombie britanique