Vernon Jubilee Hospital, the place Dad took his first breath on November 10, 1935, and also his last on December 29, 2023.  Surrounded by the love of his family and with “their” song, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White playing, Dad left us after an extended, but valiant struggle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis complicated by inoperable Aortic Stenosis.  With the love and caring of his family, Dad was able to stay in his home until ten days before his passing.  We were honoured that for the last 12 years he joined us for dinner in our homes almost every day of the week.  He never failed to express his gratitude after each and every meal.

In 1949 Dad started out as a gas jockey at Capital Motors, later moving into the parts department at Capital Tractor.  In 1959 he took a position at Seymour Equipment in sales selling chainsaw accessories.  This opened up an opportunity at Alpine Distributors where he sold Ski-Doo, Moto-Ski, Can-Am and later Bombardier snow groomers until the company closed its doors in 1983.  He then moved on to Noble Tractor selling Case construction equipment until 1985 when he was hired by Capital/Coast Tractor, selling John Deere construction and logging equipment.  In 1998, after logging over one million miles on the road and a near miss on an icy logging road, Dad decided it was time to retire.  It was then that Dad discovered his hidden talent of wood working.  He built the most incredible pieces of furniture that we are all so proud to have on display in our homes.  He watched countless hours of wood working shows and we can still see him with his graph paper and pencil, designing and making his own plans, often recreating something from merely a photograph or magazine clipping.

While employed at Alpine Distributors, Dad loved to snowmobile and was a devoted member of the Vernon Snowmobile Club for years.  We always had machines gassed up and ready for the day on our property on Silver Star Road.  He also loved to fish!  Growing up, we spent every July at Mabel Lake Resort and adventured on numerous dirt road trips to mountain lakes with far too many stories to share.  Oh what fun we had!  After retirement, he would regularly visit Hilltop Subaru to have coffee with John and Art. It was an outing he so looked forward to.  Dad’s other passion was NASCAR and #48 Jimmie Johnson.  We all knew that we couldn’t call him during either race on Saturday or Sunday!  We are thrilled that he had the opportunity to travel to Vegas twice to see the races in person.  He loved to reminisce about those trips.

Dad was a devoted Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Pappy, Great-Pappy, Uncle and Friend.  He was a gentle man, full of grace.  He loved unconditionally.  He was funny.  He often joked that he was so old, they named the city after him.  He was kind, trust worthy, talented, emotional, passionate, sweet, understanding, patient, forgiving, genuine, dependable, loyal, honest, sensitive, humble, selfless, sentimental, nurturing, encouraging and incredibly generous.

Dad was predeceased his Brother, Ernie in 1949, who tragically fell to his death at the “quarry” on Okanagan Lake; his Father, George Sparrow in 1985; his Mother, Marie Sparrow in 1991;  in 2011, Ruth, his best friend and wife of 55 years and by his half-sister, Heather Sparrow in 2018.

Dad is survived by his two daughters and “sons”, Jody and Clay Anderson and Janis and Marty Christian; his beautiful grandchildren, Kyle Anderson and Jillian Legare and Kristy and Cole Peterson; the newest addition to our family, his great grandson, Blake Peterson; his furry feline, Cooper, who never left his side; brother-in-law, Tom Murphy and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lindsay Pritchett for your unwavering support and care for Dad that spanned decades; Dr. Harold Yacyshyn for your expertise; the paramedics, ER medical team, Hospitalists, nurses, and support staff on the 6^th floor of the Polson Tower.  Your compassion, respect and care for Dad was unmatched.  He would shake his head in awe and comment how kind and caring each and every one of you were.  You comforted us in our time of need.  Last but not least, his neighbours Jim and Jen Dent and Al and Paula Winther.  It gave us peace of mind knowing you were so close and looked out for him.

There will be a private family service at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Dad’s memory may contribute to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.

“We are who we are because we were loved by you.”