Lloyd Wilfrid White

Lloyd was born in Vanguard, Saskatchewan in 1937 to Edna and Jack White. Sixteen months later his beloved sister Hazel came into the world. This small family moved to Ponteix, Saskatchewan where his two brothers, Stu and Glen joined the farming family. Life was tough. No running water, or electricity. The two oldest, Lloyd and Hazel were faced with heavy chores to keep the small farm a float. By the mid 40’s, the family moved to the beloved hamlet of Hoadley, Alberta. The family lived in a small wooden shack on the homestead. Again, no running water, or electricity. Hard physical work was a way of life, milking cows twice a day, mucking the barns and tending to animals all before, riding bareback on a horse to get to school. Winters were brutally cold, but the love of his siblings and mother kept them close. Then the last of the five children was born, baby Karen. Lloyd learned to hunt at an early age for survival. Working with his siblings to help provide food for the family, and manage the heavy lifting of the farming life. At 15, Lloyd quit school and left home. He started working in foresty in Alberta, falling trees, and then for a small sawmill. Then in his early 20’s, a true cowboy at heart, he started to catch wild horses in the foothills of Alberta, near Nordegg. He loved his time riding, and often reminisced about various adventures during these times.

Then he heard he could make big money working in Forestry in BC, in the Queen Charlottes, making a little more than $3 dollars a day. He was good at this work, as he was extremely hard working and strong from all the work he did as a child on the farm. He was hired as a tree faller, on Vancouver Island, near the Port Alberni region. This is when he met Delavina Louis in Nanaimo and lived common law helping to raise five of her 11 children, from 1969 to 1987, until Delavina passed. Lloyd remained very close to her youngest daughter, Milly (Mildred) and took his role as a step father very seriously.

Lloyd met the love of his life, Paula in Nanaimo. At first, as a neighbour, friend and then love. The two were married in 1988. At this point, Lloyd was 50 and Paula was widowed at 42, with a teenage daughter Tracey. They all moved to Port Alberni, as the forestry companies were closing the work camps of Franklin River and Cameron Division. Lloyd needed to be closer to work for the long drives into the bush each day. Paula and Lloyd fostered children for a time, but always had an open door and plate full of food for anyone in need. Lloyd again stepped up as a sort of father figure for a neighbourhood girl, Celina and spent time encouraging her to learn to cook, calling her his Chef Boy RD.

Then in 1989, their miracle baby boy, Miles was born healthy. Miles was the joy for both parents. Lloyd was a loving father, spending every minute with Miles when he was not at work. Including him in every aspect of his life. Early on, Miles showed an aptitude for taking things apart. Lloyd supported his son, by providing all the tools, space and mechanics to foster his inquisitive mind. When Miles was seven, Lloyd had a massive shop built for him and his son. This mechanical playground was the source of learning for his son, who grew up to become a Mechanical Engineer. For Lloyd, one of his proudest moments was attending the UBC Graduation of his son.

Lloyd accepted Tracey as his own daughter and welcomed Tim, Tracey husband as his son. When grandchildren were born, Paula, Lloyd and Miles would come together with Tracey and Tim, Zackery and Hailey every holiday. Spending quality family time, numerous times a year. Lloyd loved both Zackery and Hailey with all of his heart.

When Miles married Cass, the family events moved back to Port Alberni, spending time with his two newest granddaughters. Lloyd became Papa, to Mila and Daisy. He loved these two girls with his whole soul. In one of his last days, he was so proud to accept a beautiful craft from Mila, praising her for her creative creation.

As the oldest of five siblings, Lloyd felt very strongly his role and responsibility was to support family and friends. He was very generous and supportive of all that knew him. However, he had a no nonsense approach to life, and if he was unhappy or disagreed with you, you knew it. But as a family, we all knew his bark was louder than his bite.

Paula and Lloyd were married for 36 years, and would say, they never had a fight.

We lost Lloyd to an undiagnosed Colon cancer that unfortunately spread throughout his body. The family would like to thank Dr. Hudson who did emergency surgery, providing two extra months of life. As well as the palliative doctors, palliative nurses and community care aids which supported Lloyd to spend his final days at home. Special thanks to nurse lead, Tabatha who supported the whole family as dad’s health declined.

Lloyd will be missed by Paula, wife. Son Miles & Cass, granddaughters Mila, and Daisy. Daughter Tracey & Tim, grandson Zackery, and granddaughter Hailey. Siblings: Hazel, Stu, Glen and Karen. Nieces and nephews: Tracey, Greg, Elise, Chris, Travis, Kirsten, Dean, and predeceased by Troy. Grand nieces and nephews: MacKenzie, Ryden, Jake, Nica, Malia, Heather, Alex, Elise, twins: Blaire & Meagan, Riley & Zack . Great grand-niece and grand-nephew: Hayden & Ainsley. Many cousins, uncles, aunt from the White, Whyte, and Norton families.