BILL LICHTENSTEIN

Bill Lichtenstein was born July 28, 1938 in Fort Frances, Ont., the son of Margaret and Ernest Lichtenstein.
He is survived by his wife, Helen McRitchie, and two stepdaughters, Heather (Tom) Andrews of Chemainus, B.C. and Ivy Charyna of White Rock, B.C.; and grandsons, Adam (Bianca) Paton of White Rock, B.C. and Aaron Paton of Calgary, Alta.
He also is survived by his sisters, Doris Kawulia of Winnipeg, Man., Deidra Strain of Fort Frances, Ont., and Valerie McClelland of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and nieces and nephews.
Bill attended Fort Frances High School, where he played trumpet in the school band and dance band. After graduation, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served for five years.
On the HMCS Bonaventure aircraft carrier, he participated in the Cuban “Bay of Pigs” blockade awaiting U.S. President Kennedy’s order for action.
Bill enjoyed cruising in his sports car wearing one of his favourite hats. He was an avid, self-taught computer enthusiast spending many hours learning and implementing new programs.
One of Bill’s inherent talents was his ability to tell interesting stories about the time he spent in the navy.
Bill loved to make people laugh. He had a natural talent for telling funny and animated jokes.
After 16 years in Thunder Bay working as an electrician for CNR and VIA Rail, Bill and Helen moved to White Rock, where Bill worked for VIA Rail before retiring.
He then joined West Bay Sonships as an electrician.
Bill volunteered with the Surrey School District Envision Jazz Festival at the Guildford Sheraton Hotel, the longest-running educational Jazz Festival in Canada.
While in White Rock, he played trumpet in the 3rd Stage Jazz Band and the South Fraser Community Concert Band.
In 2007, they settled in Chemainus on Vancouver Island.
On May 6, 2015, Bill succumbed to a lengthy illness at the Chemainus Health Care Centre.
A celebration of life service is pending.
Yours truly from the family.