Howard Bain Hedley

He was 88. Predeceased by his eldest son Murray, and his loving wife of 64 years, Mary.

Survived by his son Brian, grandson Ryan, brother Roy (Kay), nieces Sandy (Glen) and Cathy, and their children.

Howard was born and raised in North Vancouver. At age 15 Howard learned about hard work at a summer job in a sawmill at Savona BC. After high school he joined the Navy for a tour of duty aboard a Corvette stationed at Halifax. When finished, he became a surveyor’s assistant at Kamloops. There he met his love, Mary Noseworthy. They married in September, 1948 and moved to North Vancouver. There, Howard joined the BC Telephone Company and began an amazing, successful 37 year career. He started as a draftsman in a group where Howard Betts was already on staff. So to avoid confusion, Howard Hedley became ‘Sam’ to the telephone family. The name stuck! Howard ‘Sam’ Hedley subsequently advanced though several technical and managerial positions in the engineering and training departments. These positions took him and his family to Vancouver, Kamloops and back to Vancouver, where he retired in in 1984.

In 1992 he and Mary moved back to Kamloops, where years earlier they had purchased a log cabin at remote Hyas Lake, north of Kamloops. It was their summer home for years. It was also the site of an annual fishing trip with Howards’s BC Tel fishing gang; Frank, John, Dale, Dave, Ron and Mike – all became, and remain very close, special friends.

Howard participated in many sports through the years including basketball, lawn bowling, curling, golf, and fly fishing. Hobbies included sketching, painting and writing. He also played a violin. In retirement he wrote manuscripts for 2 novels and started a third; they remain un published.

He was always involved in community work including coaching soccer, assisting the YWCA, Kamloops Parks & Recreation Planning Committee Chair, and Phoenix Society Chair. Howard was also a Founding Member of the ASTTBC

Howard formed close and enduring friendships wherever he went and whatever he did. And above all he cherished the love and support of his wonderful wife Mary and their 2 sons.

A very special thank you is extended to those who were so caringly there for Howard these past few years, especially Darla and Shannon.

There will no service, by request. Howard and Mary’s favourite charity was the YWCA.