April 24, 1940 – February 5, 2021
It is with deep sadness that the family of Morris Cecil Begin, age 80 years, passed away suddenly from cancer, with his wife and children at his side at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
Morris was the son of the late Alphonse & Grace Begin in Fort William, Ontario.
In his teen years while working at the Chronicle Journal Newspaper with his long-time friends, they started the group “Street Angels,” watching out for the safety of neighbours all around the Westfort area in Thunder Bay.
Moe became a long-time member of the Elk’s Lodge BPOE No. 82 in Thunder Bay back in the early 1960’s, in which many weekends were spent attending dances and events with friends over the next 25 years.
Being a “Trucker at Heart,” Morris started out with his big brother Bob, driving for Reimer Express of Winnipeg, Manitoba in his early years and then drove for Kingsway Transport in Fort Frances, Ontario in the 1970’s.
Morris met Linda Cates and they married on September 2, 1967. They celebrated 53 years of marriage in 2020. Together they proudly owned and operated the full-service L&M Variety Store, Gas Bar and Bait Shop in Thunder Bay. In 1976 they moved with their children to Fort Frances until 1979 and then moved to Maple Ridge, B.C. to follow big brother Bob once again and purchased the Maple Ridge Motel & Mobile Home Park. After selling the motel in 1987 they then purchased the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park in Cultus Lake, B.C. until their retirement in April 1999.
Throughout all those years the family enjoyed camping and travelling in their RV, particularly the time spent in “The Empress,” going from coast to coast across Canada and even adventuring up the Alaska highway in 1992; and made it back! Fishing and hunting became his passion in life.
Moe’s carpentry and remodelling were his proud works of art, spending countless enjoyable hours creating gifts for family and friends and completely designed and created Jason and Chrissy’s entire Burnaby kitchen, along with furniture for all his grandkids.
While residing in Maple Ridge, Moe with family and friends built their “Dream Cabin” on Mahood Lake, in northern B.C.. Many summers were enjoyed fishing for those “Big Lakies,” especially for the one that got away – he was still determined to catch that BIG one-eyed lake trout!
Then in 2016 Morris and Linda moved to the Okanagan in B.C. to be close to their families and settled on their small horse ranch in beautiful Armstrong, B.C.. His children and grandchildren were the pride of joy of Morris’ life. The legacy of his generous loving spirit, passion for fishing and hunting, love and reading and zest for life will live on through them.
Morris is survived by his loving wife Linda of 53 years; daughter Janet and grand-daughter Brielle of Penticton, BC; son Jason (Christine) and grandchildren Kyle of Langley, B.C., Luke and Kate of Kelowna, B.C.. He also leaves behind his two sisters Patricia McMillan and Bonnie Thompson of Thunder Bay (always their big brother).
He will be sadly missed by his brothers-in-law Eric (Shirley) Cates, Allan (Lenore) Cates; and sisters-in-law Glenda (Louie) Quesnel all of Fort Frances, and Grace (George) Bird of West Vancouver, B.C.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased in death by his loving parents Alphonse and Grace Begin; big brother Robert and his wife Geraldine Begin; and brother-in-law Jeff Thompson.
A celebration of Morris’ life was held with his family in attendance on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Bethel Funeral Chapel (Vernon, B.C.) with Father Peter officiating.
As per Morris’ wishes, cremation will take place with internment to be at Armstrong Spallumcheen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the B.C. Cancer Society or Canadian Diabetes Association.
Moe/Dad, (the patriarch of our family)
Even though we said our goodbyes on your final night with us holding your hands we are thankful we got to be with you as God took you, it is not forever, and is not the end; it only means that we will miss you until we all get to be together again. You are now with your family that have also passed and that gives us some relief knowing you are at peace with them. We love and miss you more than words can ever say.
Love you always, Linda (Cindy), Jan & Jay
