Karl Eric Dalin

DECEMBER 31, 1925 - MAY 30, 2015

Our family lost a hero on Saturday, May 30, when Karl Eric Dalin left us to join his beautiful Olive Lillian.

Karl was born December 31, 1925 on his family’s homestead in Celista, B.C. He grew up in the embrace of loving and hardworking people. He passed on that love and work ethic to his own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He left home to work on Colony Farm in Port Coquitlam at 15 to lighten the load on his family. Later, his dad took him to the CPR station in Kamloops, which began a 43-year career as a railroader, with a two-year break to serve his country during the Second World War.

He loved the railroad and particularly steam locomotives, where he started as a wiper, then a fireman and eventually a train engineer for the majority of his career. Although he was a strong supporter of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he also often praised CP Rail as a good and fair employer. He was thrilled with the pensions he got from both CP Rail and Veterans Affairs.

A railroad job took him and his younger brother William to Cranbrook in 1946 where he met Olive Morgan at a dance. The brothers had recently purchased a new car, but poor Will rarely got to use it once the romance began. In the end though, Karl got the girl and Will got the car since Karl couldn’t afford both.

Karl and Olive married in 1949. They had three children in Cranbrook. The railroad took them to Kamloops in 1956 where their fourth child was born.

They bought property in Dallas through the Veterans’ Land Act, which was a stroke of luck because it was here neighbours became like family. Karl’s birthday on December 31 became an excuse for a New Year’s Eve party in the Dalin basement for 25 consecutive years.

Karl had a huge vegetable garden that he and Olive carefully harvested together; ensuring homegrown vegetables were available all year long.

Summers were spent at the family cabin close to where many Dalin kin still lived. Karl would spend hours driving Will’s motor boat, teaching his own kids to water ski, but also a slew of cousins who seemed to know exactly when the boat was on the water. He also loved to play bridge under the willow tree with his sisters and brothers and then tennis in the evenings.

Karl and Olive retired to Celista, building a home beside the cabin on the shores of the North Shuswap. They had many happy years creating flower gardens in the natural rock and going on many trips with dear friends Bob and Alice Perry. They also cross-country skied and on winter evenings, Karl played badminton.

In 1994, Olive was diagnosed with ALS. As the disease progressed, Karl gradually took over more and more of the daily duties he had never done before.

For the last three years, Olive could do no more than lift one finger, but her mind and smile remained bright. This incredible man dressed her every morning, he fed her by hand, and provided her care with tender patience and love right up to the end.

He carried on enjoying life, going to Reno and Las Vegas with Will – a pair of card experts who always played within their limits. They were also regulars at the “club” in Kamloops. The brothers shared a deep friendship. Each one looked after the other. In recent years, as Karl became somewhat forgetful, Will proved he truly was his brother’s keeper. Thank you so much, Uncle, for your unwavering support of our dad.

Karl was a devoted son and brother to father Johan, mother Margaret, sisters Elsie (Bert), Annie (Dave), Winnie (Bob), and brothers Dan (Mildred), William, and Chris (Yvonne).

He also cared deeply for Olive’s Morgan family. He is survived by brothers-in-law Wayne (Jerri), Leroy (Pat) and Robert (Judi), and sister-in-law Arlene.

He was the best husband, father, father-in-law, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather a person could ask for. Predeceased by his wife, Olive, and son-in-law, Duwayne, whom he thought so much of. He is survived by his brother Will, and by children Phyllis Ring, Sharon Arnish (Rick), Tim Dalin (Jocelyn), Susan Duncan (Alexander Watt).

He is dearly remembered by grandchildren Justin (Michelle), Todd (Lesley), Kent (Deanna), Tracey (Jason), Krista, Chad, Robbyn (Nathan), Candace (Jeff), Shea (Kay), Alex (Craig), Olivia; and great-grandchildren Avery, Paige, Beckett, McKenna, Hudson, Jenna, Tanner, Allison, Morgan and Jonah.

Thank you to his lake neighbours Ray and Ruth Robinson who were always there for him.

Karl was described by many people as the hardest working man they ever met. That strength kept his heart beating for a long time after illness would have laid any other person flat.

Dad, you were the best!