Trevor was predeceased by his father, Ernest Lewis Mendham, who worked as a professional hairdresser and passed away in January 1949, his Mom, Winnifred Lillian Mendham, a full time housewfe who passed away in March of 1953, and his older brother Derek Ernest.,
After his parents passed away, Trevor went to live with his Aunt Rose. In September of 1953, Trevor started a two-year program at Technical School.
In May of 1956, at the age of 16, Dad joined the Royal Navy and became an Electrical Mechanic. During this time, he was drafted to the H.R.M.S. Pembroke, the H.R.M.S. Collingwood, and then to the H.M.S. Modeste to serve 18 months in Asia.
In January 1960, Trevor met a girl by the name of Maureen Lacey at a dance hall. A few weeks after they met, Trevor was told that he was going to be drafted to the H.M.S. Cavalier, so he asked Maureen to marry him. They were married on March 26, 1960. Trevor became an instant Dad to Anna. After completing his deployment, Trevor transferred to a program in Canada.
In 1963, Dad did a 62 mile walk from Dartmouth to Truro. Close to the Truro Hospital, a car hit Dad, his leg was broken, and he spent time on crutches. In September, Maureen’s father passed away, so she and Anna went back to England, followed later by Dad.
In July of 1965, Dad’s time in the navy came to an end. That same summer, Maureen was pregnant with Debra as the whole family immigrated to Hamilton, Ontario.
In March of 1966, Dad flew to Labrador City for a position as a plant mechanic and in September, the rest of the family joined him. In the summer of 1972, a strike hit the plant in Labrador, so Dad moved with the family back to Hamilton and his old job. In December of that same year, Dad drove across Canada to Kitimat to work for Alcan. On February 17, 1973, just after his 33rd Birthday, Dad went to work some overtime. An accident occurred, and Dad lost his leg.
After his accident, Dad learned to downhill ski and became 1 of 3 Level 2 amputee ski instructors in Canada, including racing. It was at this time that Dad took up golfing as well.
Dad was very involved in the Aluminum City Telethon in Kitimat as well as volunteering at the Royal Canadian Legion and the Child Development Centre.
May of 1978 was the first of many heart attacks that resulted in a bypass operation.
In March of 1991, the first grandson Kyle was born. He later changed his name to Trevor. He passed away in November of 2018.
Trevor retired November 19, 1993. The next day, Trevor and Maureen moved from Kitimat to Abbotsford to start another chapter in their lives.
In February of 1994, Trevor started work at Century 21. It was there that he met Richard Zacharias who became his partner in real estate. After Dad retired, he and Richard stayed close friends until Dad’s passing. Trevor and Maureen became adopted grandparents to Richard and Shauny’s kids as well as to Richard.
In October of 1994 the second grandson Matthew was born. He assisted Mum and Dad in the last number of years.
In September of 1996 the third grandson Callum was born. He was the last of their grandchildren who became known as the 3 muskateers. The blond, the brunette, and the red head.
Throughout their retirement, Dad and Mum continued to explore the world, travelling between cruising and land packages until approximately 2018 when Dad’s strength began to decrease.
December 2004, Dad was diagnosed with cancer. He fought it like he had every other medical issue. In May of 2016, Trevor was diagnosed with heart failure and was told he would not live out the year. This was the beginning of my smart ass remark that Dad had 9 lives per year like the cats that they loved.
In October of 2019, Nova, the first great grandchild was born to Callum and his partner Nicole.
As we all know, Dad’s love was that girl he met in January of 1960, who became his wife for 61 years. Trevor endured many hospital visits and pain for his love and that love kept him going so that we could have him in our lives.
It hurts that my Mum, my sister Anna and I, plus his grandchildren and great grandchildren won’t have him around anymore, but I’m thankful that his pain is gone.
Love you Daddy!
DONATIONS
Heart and Stroke Foundation BCSuite #200-885 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5
BC Cancer Foundation150 – 686 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1
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