Tribute

Grant Ernest Rekve “Aka-G”

November 4, 1944 – June 1, 2016

Grant passed away peacefully with family by his side at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. He was predeceased by his father Ingvald Rekve and mother Irene Rekve as well as his son Chad.

Grant is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Verna Rekve and daughter Darlene (Ritchie), Carol Berg, Rick (Val) Goos. He is also survived by his grandchildren Melanie (Joseph), Nancy (Ben), Emily (Justin) and Wesley, great-grandchildren Lia and Fayola, 12 brothers and sisters: Ivar (Florence), Big River, SK; Marie Sawatsky, Big River; Karen Vandal, Big River; Sonja Collier, Saskatoon, SK, Knut (Donna) Rekve, Powell River; Joanne Paquette, Surrey; Tony Rekve, Strathmore, AB, Donna (Burt) Campbell, Shellbrook, SK; Olie Rekve, Big River; Gerry (Eileen) Rekve, Saskatoon; Johnny Rekve, Big River; Jackie (Wayne), Seattle; and 29 nieces and nephews.

Grant left Big River and came to BC in 1964 with his lifelong friend Roland Swanson in search of employment. Not long after, his two other lifelong friends came too: Maurice and Norman Swanson; they all made Powell River their home. Grant then met the love of his life Verna. They married on July 16, 1966.

Grant found employment in 1965 with BC Hydro as a slasher/pole digger. Eventually, with lots of hard work and determination, he put himself through school and became a lineman for BC Hydro, where he worked for 34 years and then retired. After retirement, he took a few months off, but retirement was just not for Grant. He loved to work, so he went back to work as a lineman with Midway Power. Grant loved his profession and loved to teach about it to whoever wanted to learn. He loved to be outside with a fire in his backyard. All who knew and visited him would just look for the smoke and that’s where he would be.

Thank you to the St. Paul’s hospital critical-care unit, Powell River General hospital fourth floor staff and Dr. Van Zyl for all your help through Grant’s journey. Special thanks to Knut, Joanne, Jamie and Connie for your countless hours of support to my mom.

A celebration of life will be held upstairs at Carlson Community Club on Saturday, June 18, at 1:30 pm.