Irving Palmer Moen

Irving Palmer Moen lived a life shaped by grit, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in hard work. Born in 1936 to Norwegian immigrants Peter and Ingeborg Moen (née Lokken), he grew up in Vancouver’s Marpole district and Burnaby, British Columbia.

He learned responsibility early on through paper routes, midnight shifts at Canfor’s Eburne saw mill on the Fraser River - where his father worked for 25 years - and digging post holes for hydro electric lines in Kitimat. By the age of 15, he was already fixing up cars and a member of the Road Angels Roadster Club, cheekily parking his tropical rose and charcoal gray Ford in the teachers’ parking lot.

Irv, as he was affectionately known, was a proud graduate of Magee High School’s Class of 1955, where he excelled in baseball as a left handed cleanup hitter and as a first base player. A lifelong Yankees fan, he loved the game and admired Yogi Berra, often living by the spirit of “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Irving met Kathleen Anne Wardle at Grade 13 senior matriculation at Burnaby South High School, where they both served on student council enjoyed the joint nick-name ‘Casey and Moe.’ Married in 1963, they built a life-long partnership, raising three sons in West Vancouver — Paul, David, and Michael— whom Irving coached in baseball, soccer, hockey, and football. Summers in Parksville and Christina Lake, a formative family trip to the UK, Denmark and Norway, and visits to his sons, and their families, near and far became the heart of their family story.

Professionally, Irving forged his own path. He worked in San Francisco at Price Waterhouse, co-founded a chartered accounting firm in Kamloops, where he also owned a radio station, did a lot of work with the United Way, and became a 33rd degree Freemason. In 1968, he moved his practice to Vancouver, expanding into building supplies and industrial real estate, in a time when deals were made with a hand shake.

His accounting work connected him with leaders in the natural resource sector, and in the 1990s he did much work in China to help Western public listings. Lastly, he also loved his final stint at Home Depot, where he relished retail sales. Known for integrity, honesty, and hard work, he earned respect wherever he went.

Irving was an avid sports fan, bowler, hunted with his father growing up, and was a voracious reader of history and world affairs. He loved music—from Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen—and lived with a glass half full outlook that lifted everyone around him. He dreamed big, encouraged his sons and their families to do the same, and always cheered them and team mates - on and off the field, or rink.

Irving was predeceased by his parents Peter and Ingeborg, and sister Eleanor. He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen, their three sons and their families, including eight grandchildren. Forever remembered, never forgotten and always loved.

His family extends heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Lions Gate Hospital, Dr Corey, Dr. Zalunardo, Vancouver Coastal Health nurses and personal support workers cleaners, pharmacy delivery teams, and staff the West Van Kiwanis Home who all supported him with care and compassion.

A private family service will be held in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may kindly be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada (www.kidney.ca).