May 9, 1929 – July 21, 2019

 

Salutation to the Dawn

 

Look to this day For it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course Lie all the verities and realities Of your existence The bliss of growth The glory of action The splendour of beauty For yesterday is but a dream And tomorrow is only a vision But today, well lived, makes every yesterday A dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore to this day Such is the salutation to the dawn.

-Kalidasa

 

 

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce that Finn Ester Thoresen

passed away peacefully at Vernon Hospice surrounded by his family at the age of 90.

 

He will lovingly be remembered by his wife,Stephanie to whom he was married for 59 years, and their children Karen (Jim Garlick), Paul, Patricia (Allen Szeliga) and grandchildren John Szeliga (Zoe), and Eli and Mika Garlick

In addition he is survived by his brother Thor in Norway as well as family in Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA.

 

Finn was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Elly Thoresen (Norway) and siblings Hans Jørgen Thoresen (Norway) and Emilie Andersen (France).

 

Finn was was born in Norway and studied furniture making from the age of 15. He was a master furniture builder. After serving in the airforce he immigrated to Canada in 1954 and worked in furniture making and construction.

He was kind and gentle: an artist , cook, builder of violins, and avid reader. He loved working with his hands and had an inquisitive mind. In later years he enjoyed getting together with his coffee buddies at various locations around town.

 

 

 

 

In keeping with his wishes, there will not be a funeral. Rather, his ashes will be interred in Coldstream, BC  and Norway in a private family ceremony.

 

The family would like to express special thanks to Finn’s physician , Dr. Lindsey Hayward and all the compassionate and caring nurses, staff and volunteers at the North Okanagan Hospice Society. As an expression of sympathy, those who wish to do so, may send donations in memory of Finn to the North Okanagan Hospice Society ( 3506-27th Avenue, Vernon, B.C. V1T 1S4) or to the Canadian Cancer Society . Arrangements entrusted with Vernon Funeral Home, 3007 28 Street, Vernon, BC. 250-542-0155