Alexander Edwin Muir

On Thursday March 23rd we said goodbye to our father. Dad grew up during the great depression which shaped his life and taught him to be resilient. At 16 he had to get a job to help the family survive. In early 1941 he joined the army to hopefully see the world, an adventure. (He had no idea) Basic training was in Vernon then off to Brandon MB for deployment. This seemed to take too long for him so he decided to transfer to the airforce since they needed men (Lancasters were being shot down at an alarming rate). Of course he didn't know this. Two days before he was to sign the transfer papers, Japan bombed Pearl Harbour. The army quickly created a BC Division to defend the impending invasion from Japan. Dad was sent to Victoria for the rest of the war where he never fired a shot. (We consider ourselves lucky) He met Ila (Mom) in 1944 while on leave. They married July 14th 1945. He joined the VFD in 1947. During his days off he and his friend Roy Hill built over 10 homes during the 50's and 60's including his first home on Cambridge St in Bby and our family home up at Shuswap Lake. He retired a district Chief in 1979 and was retired longer than he worked. Mom and Dad bought a trailer and moved to the Shuswap Lake house. They wintered in California through the 80's and early 90's. He was a hard worker and everything he did, he did for his family. We'll miss his stories, his quirks, his funny sayings, his beautiful singing voice and his big laugh. Predeceased by his loving wife Ila (1999) Son Douglas (2007) Survived by sons Alan (Stella), Glen (Cyndi), Daughter in law Sue, grandchildren Paul, Danny, Melissa, Gillian and Greg along with 11 great grandchildren. No service by request. In lieu of flowers donate to Vancouverfirefighters.ca/bc_burn_fund/