Obituary for the late John Bousfield May 21, 1924 – April 28, 2016
Long time Oliver resident and WWII veteran passed away at the age of 91 at MacKinney Place on Thursday April 28, 2016.
John was born May 21, 1924 at Langley Park, England. The Bousfield family moved from England to Canada in 1924 when John was a baby. They settled on a farm in Enderby. The family moved to Oliver in 1934 where John went to school. He did not finish high school but went to work for the Oliver Sawmill. At age 19, he enlisted in the Army, in the 1st Division Sea Force Regiment. During this time, he served in Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, and then to Holland. By this time the war was over when the troops liberated Holland in 1945. John met his wife Mary in Amsterdam. They were married and Mary came to Canada as a war bride. John was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp.
John resumed his job as a sawyer at the Oliver Sawmill. John and Mary resided in Oliver for the rest of their lives. They raised three children; Gloria, Yvonne and Dale.
He was a life member of the Oliver Fire Department, a member of the Sportsmens Association and the Royal Canadian Legion.
John loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and gardening. He loved to brag about how green his grass was.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary (2004); his son Dale (2012); parents Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred Bousfield; brothers Wilfred, William and Frank and sisters Elsie, Nancy, Peggy and Gladys.
John is survived by and leaves to mourn his children Gloria (Cor) of Oliver and Yvonne (Chris) of Kaslo; grandchildren Shane (Robyn) of Williams Lake, Marnie (Mike) of Williams Lake, Natasha (Ken) of Kaslo and Desiree (Jason) of Cranbrook as well as nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at McKinney Place and Dr. Rooke for their kind and compassionate care.
No formal service by John’s request. He will be laid to rest at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery Field of Honour at a later date.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com