Tribute

August 29, 1926 – December 12, 2018 It is with great sadness that Vern’s family announce his passing. He was born on the Dyment homestead in Brantford, Ontario, to Olivia and Leslie Dyment. Deeply mourning Vern’s loss are his wife Josey Marie; daughter Julie (George) Chambers of Powell River; son Jeffrey (Elaine) Dyment of Kelowna, BC; grandsons Matthew (Jacqueline) of Calgary, Alberta, James (Tarra) of Kamloops, BC, and Steven (Joelene) of Kelowna, BC; and eight beautiful great-grandchildren: Eric, Jackson, Judah, Carter, Evangeline, Logan, William and Christian. Predeceasing Vern were his son Joey in 1954, father Leslie, mother Olivia, sister Donna, brothers Erle and Lorne, nephew Terry, mother and father-in-law Maryanne and Lewis Harwood and all his in-law siblings: Emma and Bill Dawson, Lydon and Doris Harwood, Erie and Jack Ward, Grace Harwood, Bordon and Lillian Harwood, Jamie Harwood. After graduating from high school, in 1943, Vern and his brother Erle were commandeered to help their dad work the 185-acre dairy farm to produce meat, milk and vegetables for the war effort. Vern met “the love of his life,” J. Marie, at the United Church Young People’s Group in Ontario. They married in 1948 and in September of 2018 they joyously celebrated 70 years of marriage at a delightful anniversary party at ECU. Vern and J. Marie moved their family to their chosen province of BC in 1965. They lived for the first 21 years in Victoria, and then settled into seaside living in Powell River where Vern spent many, many happy hours in his garden (and everyone else’s) bringing beauty to all our houses. Vern was a quiet, gentle man who sported a big smile of welcome whenever he saw you. We have been amazed at the stories we are hearing from so many people who felt Dad’s kind words, or deeds, helped them when they needed it the most. Thank you to Dr. Andreae for his attention over the years, the Powell River Home Care team, the Evergreen Care Unit staff, residents and families for your support and friendship shown to Vern and J. Marie. Due to the serious weather of late, a celebration of life for Vern will be held later in the spring, his favourite season, “when the flowers bloom.” Should you wish, a small donation to ECU, or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated. “We are glad you were here, Dad!”