Rodney Fortescue Pridham

Rod was predeceased by his father Fortescue, mother Alice (nee Burtch), sister Veronica McDonald DiRosa and wife of 69 years Vivien (nee Vanidour). He is survived by his daughter Margot Pridham (Michael Morrow), Alison Coppock (Joseph) and Laurence Pridham (Shawna), grandchildren Tristan Wickham (Amanda,) Joseph Coppock, Karen Coppock, Maria Coppock (Jaime), Laura Coppock, Ellie, Vivien, great-granddaughter Charlotte and many nieces and nephews.

Rod was born in Kelowna September 17, 1931, the grandson of two pioneering Kelowna families, Pridham and Burtch. His grandfather John Lawrence ‘JL’ Pridham was one of the first pioneer orchardist that arrived from England in 1892 prior to the incorporation of the City of Kelowna in 1905. His maternal grandfather Henry Birkett “HB” Burtch came in 1896 to work for TW Stirling on the Bankhead Ranch. HB was Kelowna’s ice man delivering ice to homes and businesses often with Dad riding on the horse drawn wagon tossing ice chips to children they passed.

Rod attended Vernon Preparatory School in Coldstream and graduated from Kelowna High School. He was a lifelong learner and wasn’t afraid to try anything new.

Rod had many occupations. He was a farmer, rancher, land developer, realtor, orchardist and volunteer. He always told people he met that he ranched and raised every animal except sheep, “too much work”. Dad spent the majority of his working life following his grandparents and parents footsteps as an orchardist. He was also instrumental in helping the Summerland Research and Development Centre in providing his orchard as a living laboratory for new varieties of fruit.

Rod believed that volunteering was an important part of a balanced life. He spent many years as a member and working on projects with the Rotary Club, the Kelowna Yacht Club and the Kelowna and District Fish & Game Club. He was also a member of the Okanagan Historical Society and contributed to the research of local history.

Our father spent most of his summers as a child at Pennask Lake Lodge as his father was the manager there. Spending summers at Pennask, Rod gained experience fishing and hunting with his parents, skills he happily passed onto his family as well as water skiing and swimming. Our family spent many enjoyable days picnicking, boating and camping around the valley and province. Dad was also an amazing gardener. If you couldn’t find him around the house he was probably puttering in the vegetable and rose garden or building something in his workshop. He was also an expert golfer, winning several trophies at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club where he and our mother were members. They were also keen badminton players. He spent many evenings with friends and family playing cards, Rummoli one of the favourites along with Bridge. He read three newspapers a day and loved to read books written about the history of the Chilcotin and Cariboo a favourite place to camp. Our parents were avid art collectors and travelled extensively.

If you had a chance to speak with him he would always have something to say about local politics. In fact several mayors had an open door policy with him as he would drop in frequently and give them “suggestions” on what should be done to better in our growing city.

He had his families best interests at heart but was very firm on what was right and wrong. He made sure we were guided with a loving hand and was always there to answer our questions and support us through difficult times. He was an amazing father, father-in-law, grandparent and friend to many. When people spoke of Dad he was always described as “the nicest man I’ve ever met”. He will be sorely missed by us all. May he rest in peace.

We wish to thank Dr. Tara Sebulsky, Dr. John Dawson and the care team at Sun Pointe Village, Ellison neighbourhood for their compassionate care of Rod.

In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider donating to Ducks Unlimited.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael’s and All Angels, 608 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC. Luncheon to follow with interment at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.