BERT OLIVER

Bert Oliver, 91, of 1146 Fourth St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away suddenly with his family by his side on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Bert was born Oct. 29, 1918 in Clifton-upon-teme, Worcestershire, England to the late William and Mary Oliver.
He immigrated with his family to Canada when Bert was very young. Upon arriving in Canada, the family settled in North Battleford, Sask. From Saskatchewan, they moved to his uncle Ben Wilcox’s farm in Emo, Ont. after his uncle passed away.
During WWII, Bert enlisted with the 17th Field Regiment, 37th Battery, Royal Canadian Artilliary as a Gunner 0Bombadier, and served overseas for six years in England, Italy, Belgium, and Holland.
While overseas, he met Pamela Mary Parsons in Wales and they were married in 1945.
Upon his discharge from the services, they returned to Canada and settled in Fort Frances.
His memories of his time in the service were quite vivid, and he enjoyed going to schools on Remembrance Day and talking to the students about his time overseas.
Bert was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Orange Lodge, and the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29. He and Pamela also were members of St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances.
Bert was employed at the local mill for many years as a pipefitter until his retirement. While working, he was very involved with the union and safety committee, and had been president of the M.E.C.
For leisure, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, and the special times with his family and friends at their cabin at Bears Pass. At home, he liked gardening and had a special knack for growing roses.
Bert enjoyed his many travels with family to Europe and across North America on several occasions. He also liked to tell tales and sing songs wherever possible.
Bert will be missed very much by his family and friends.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Arthur, Thomas, and Sidney Oliver; one sister, Eleanor Willer; and two brothers-in-law, Fredrick Parsons and Leif Willer.
Bert is survived by his loving wife, Pamela; sons, Darcy (Diane), Kenneth, Trevor (Roberta), and James; and daughter, Carolyn Oliver, all of Fort Frances, Ont.
He also is survived by five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Dixie Oliver of Selkirk, Man., and June (Raymond) Davis and Margaret Parsons of Wales; one brother-in-law, Kenneth (Gwyneth) Parsons of Wales; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 31, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Wayne McIntosh will officiate, with interment in Emo Cemetery in Emo.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 Colour Party will provide their tribute at the service.
Family and friends may visit Sunday, May 30, 2010 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be his sons, Darcy, Kenneth, Trevor, and James, grandson, Robert Oliver, and Beau Guild, husband of his granddaughter, Pamela.
The honourary pallbearers will be all of Bert’s friends and acquaintances whose lives he touched throughout the years.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church, 360 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop at late or early hour.
“To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, to lose one’s health is more. To lose one’s soul is such a loss that no man can restore.
“The present only is our own, so live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in tomorrow, for the clock may then be still.”
—Robert H. Smith