Obituaries

KETCHELL, Harold Frank

KETCHELL, Harold Frank

Early in the evening of April 6, 2012, after a brief illness, Harold peacefully passed away in the presence of his loving family at the Hospice House in Kelowna, BC. He is now with his Father in heaven. Harold is survived by his loving and supportive wife Karen of West Kelowna, BC. He is also survived by 3 brothers, David (Yvette) of Houston, BC, Donald of Vernon, BC and Gary (Mary) Toneff of Kelowna, BC; one sister, Jannett (Gene) Klubi of Fort Nelson, BC; his children, Harold (Kelly) of Kelowna, BC, Leslie of Brooks, AB, Cynthia Kupser of Edmonton, AB, Kenneth (Brenda) of Westbank, BC and Deborah (Mike) McReynolds of Bartow, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Harold was born on October 11, 1941 in North Vancouver, BC. He entered the work force at an early age and by the time he was 19, he was working in the sawmills in North Vancouver and had a janitorial business with contracts servicing some of the major retail outlets in the city.

Eventually Harold relocated, with his young family, to the Okanagan Valley. Over the years, Harold worked in the mining industry, becoming an on-stream analyst, helping to maximize yields during the process of leaching the ore. During the final chapter of his working career, Harold again became a small business owner and manager, entering into a partnership to purchase a security and maintenance company with contracts at Orchard Park Mall in Kelowna.

As a youth, Harold enjoyed baseball, basketball and track and field. For much of his adult life, he was a passionate golfer who could boast achieving a hole-in-one. He also loved fishing, camping, swimming, taking long walks and spending time with his large family.

Harold was deeply loved by his family, who will always remember his boyish laugh, and he will be greatly missed.

The family would like to express their thanks and deepest gratitude to Dr. Chamberlain, Dr. Kluftinger, Dr. Davies, all the staff on the 2 West Unit, the home care palliative nursing staff and the Hospice House staff for their excellent and compassionate care, as well as the constant encouragement you gave to Harold and all of the family.

By request of the family there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation in memory of Harold.

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna. 250-762-2299