Lawrence Whetstone

Born in Prince Rupert, Larry spent his formative years in Calgary, AB where he graduated from Western Canada High school. Not long after, he moved to London, England working for Canada Safeway, assisting with the introuction of the "American style" large supermarket to Londoners.

He soon returned to Calgary to start a family and continued to work in the grocery trade. His entrepreneurial nature and ability to network led him to start his own business, Canuk Sales, in which he represented many products from packaged food, to floral and craft supplies, and, later on, food ingredients for the meat processing industry amongst others. He always enjoyed stopping by for a visit with friends and relatives around Alberta on his work trips when he could.

In 1987, Larry and Dianne settled in Glenora, just outside Duncan where they started building a home on their acreage. There are many fond memories of family and friends helping with the build and if you ever visited you were handed a hammer!

Larry loved to cook and over the years he and Dianne shared many fun times with family and friends at their home during holidays. No one ever left the house without having enjoyed a good pancake breakfast! He was happiest at home and enjoyed welcoming company any time to share a drink and a few good stories. His sense of humour and good nature ensured their home had plenty of visitors. In 2021 they sold and downsized, moving into Duncan.

Larry was a very forward thinker, always looking for the next big thing and often ahead of his time. One notable project he never gave up on despite being told no many a time was his attempt to introduce soy cheese and milk to market which was highly protected by the dairy lobby. If you knew Larry then, you probably were offered slice of "cheese" at some point! He was a thorn in the side of the dairy industry and government officials alike in his relentless drive to pave the way for something new. Partly because of his tenacity, rules against these kinds of products have been relaxed over the years and they are now available on grocery market shelves everywhere for people who require them.

He shared his passion for being his own boss with all the kids, often pointing out opportunities for them to learn, or suggesting projects to make some pocket money. His generosity in this area was also shared with others as he regularly offered mentoring with his knowledge or helped industry aquaintances by arranging business introductions.

Larry enjoyed volunteering at Cowichan Valley Hospice, helping out with odd jobs and supporting many of their fundraising events. He was also affiliated with Area E Parks Committee and Glenora Hall Board of Directors. He was kind-hearted and never turned down someone in need.

Larry was predeceased by his mother Lillian in 2000.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Dianne; daughters Lorene, Kyla (Pat) and his boy Lee (Cathie); and their mother Maureen Whetstone; stepsons Gordon (Colleen) and David Nelson; granddaughters Isabella and Devon; and step-grandchildren Abi, Kynnan, Neko and Lily.

A memorial service will be held in the late spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cowichan Valley Hospice or a charity of your choice.