Herbert Richard Ford Beattie

Herb was a wonderful, patient, caring man. He was born in North Vancouver on March 15th, 1929 and he grew up with his 3 siblings in the family home on 10th Street. He attended Ridgeway Elementary School where he met his pal Bob Main. They played soccer and lacrosse throughout their childhood. Herb joined the Sea Cadets as a young boy and met Cliff Green. Herb, Bob, and Cliff were best friends and would continue on to have a lifelong friendship. The three boys would take the ferry across Burrard Inlet to the Vancouver Exhibition Forum to ice skate and to watch the (PCHL/WHL) Vancouver Canucks games. As young men, they would travel to the Okanagan to pick fruit for the summer season. On one trip they drove in Bob’s 1933 Chevrolet and had two flat tires before they even reached Chilliwack. Once they arrived, the accommodations for the fruit pickers were far from ideal. Dad described it as ‘wood shed with a leaky roof’. Regardless, these were all fond, memorable times for these friends.

When Herb was 18 he started his career as a sign painter. He travelled throughout BC working for Neon Products where he met many great co-workers who became long-time friends (Timer, Jack Bowerman, and Elwood Platt). He had many memories and stories to tell of the B.C. towns he worked in.

Herb bought a building lot in 1955. His pal Bob (Main’s Construction) designed and helped Herb build the family home. Herb would work on the house after work and on weekends.

Herb met Shirley in 1955 and they married in 1957. With only the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom completed they moved into the house. In the early years, you could walk through the stud walls to get to another room. Small items would fall into the basement through knot holes in the shiplap floors. With each paycheque they finished more and more of the house. Herb and Shirley worked hard to complete the home as it is today.

Herb was skilled and creative. Throughout the children’s years Herb and Shirley made elaborate handmade Halloween costumes.

Summers and vacations were often spent with family and friends. Travelling to the Okanagan and camping were fond memories for all of us.

Herb and Shirley built a cement pool in the backyard, which was quite an undertaking. Herb did a lot of the work. It became a family treasure, where we all swam and played. Herb would show us his diving skills. Herb was always supportive, attending school activities and being involved in his children’s sports teams. Herb and Shirley worked as a team to care for their kids.

Herb was always building or improving something at home. We loved the lumber runs down to Hollyburn Lumber or to Payne’s Hardware. He taught us so much.

Herb had a workplace accident in which he fell from a ladder scaffolding in 1968. He was severely injured and spent 18 months in and out of the hospital and therapy. Shirley managed the household and kids while Herb recovered. (I heard one of the kids was a handful!) A testament to Herbs courage and drive, he altered his ways and carried on after the accident. He transferred within Neon Products to work in the Permits department where he remained until his retirement in 1991.

His children grew and began their own lives working, marrying and moving about. They inherited his ethics and drive to become the people they are today. Herb and Shirley became grandparents, that’s when the pool got a lot more use. The grandkids have always lived a distance away but the family visits and phone calls kept them close. Grandpa always had lots to say.

Throughout his retirement he continued to putter around the house building fences, gates, rock walls and a carport. Always whistling like a songbird to match his enthusiasm and pleasure. He was extremely supportive throughout his family's lives. He was compassionate and always made time to care for his parents, aunts, uncles, neighbours and family friends.

Herb’s greatest devotion was to his wife, Shirley. He was a thoughtful, loving husband who respected and cared dearly for his wife of 63 years. He will be sorely missed but forever in her heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Beattie family.