August 1954 - September 2022
Wes Hait, our dearly loved husband, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend was called home, at the age of 68, to be with his Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. For almost three and a half years, after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, with the help of many chemo treatments, he enjoyed good health and strength, continued his much-loved running and lived a very normal life. In these last weeks, his health deteriorated quickly and he passed away resting and in no pain.
Wes was born in Vancouver, where he was raised together with his sister Sharon and where much of their growing years revolved around church life at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He met his wife, Helen, in the early 80’s and they were married in 1987.
A man of remarkable energy, he discovered the joys of long distance running in his thirties. The thrill and challenges of running a marathon became a focus and a driving force for him and his next 30 years included completing fifty-one of them!
Entering teaching later in life in his forties paved the way for a profession he truly loved – another passion. He took great pride in planning creative and engaging lessons for his Grade 6 and 7 students with a wonderful teaching partner and he tried to provide a happy and fun environment for them with his care and his sense of humour.
Summer School gifted programs for math and engineering provided rewarding and more focused teaching opportunities for him.
He embraced life, and all that he tackled, happily and enthusiastically. He was always busy with a project or one of his many hobbies whether tinkering and fixing his numerous radios and watches, or hunting to add to his numerous collections, cooking with and for his wife (especially with lots of spices and hot sauces), listening to a latest CD find, watching NFL games (and yelling at poor plays or ref calls), or regularly enjoying a beer with a special buddy or two. Over the years, he especially looked forward to the many summer or spring break trips taken to Waikiki or Kauai.
Special highlights of his short retirement were cruising in the Mediterranean, exploring famous cities or art galleries or sites and hiking in the Swiss and Italian alps.
Inspired by the phrase, ‘Enoch walked with God’, Wes strove daily in his later years, through Bible readings, prayer and discussions, to understand and recognize God’s Hand and love and blessings in the small things each day and how God speaks personally to us through Old and New Testament stories and passages and through the life and words of Jesus.
He was known for his wonderful sense of humour, his easy-going and chatty personality and his very accepting and uncritical nature.
Wes is lovingly remembered by his wife of 35 years, his sister, Sharon (John Collier), his father John and his many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Frieda.
He will be greatly missed.
While every completed marathon is most certainly a feat of endurance and strength, this last, most critical one – his battle against cancer – run with such courage, patience and victory was truly his most remarkable. So well done, our dear Wes. Our days are in His hands. You have finished the race.
Our solid hope – until we meet again.
With such deep gratitude to all of his special and amazing doctors and nurses at the BC Cancer Clinic and his very compassionate and skilful medical team in his last 10 days at St. Paul’s – many, many thanks.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 1st at 2:00 at Tenth Church – 11 West 10th Ave. Wearing colorful shirts including Wes’s favourite Hawaiian shirts is encouraged. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend and wishing to be a part of it.
In lieu of flowers please make any donations to the BC Cancer Clinic. Thank you.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hamiltonharronfunerals.com for the Hait family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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