Today’s Poll

Heddle, Fred

(April 11th, 2023)

Fred was born in Nelson BC on July 8, 1932.  His father, David Heddle, died when Fred was only a year old. Raised by his mother, Elizabeth (nee: Miles), he had an abundance of brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles to nourish him with love and care. As a result of these early years family was an important priority and source of pride his whole life. In his early years he attended Willow Point School in a one-room cabin with 12 other children ranging from grades 1-7. Fred loved to learn and had ambitions to further his education but domestic responsibilities to help maintain the family homestead sidetracked him, along with his deep desire to farm. In his late teens he ventured out in his vintage Austin working his way to Ottawa to visit his sister Alice. Upon his return to the Kootenays he settled down and married his lifelong love, Audrey Kleef on August 15, 1953. Fred worked at a myriad of jobs and in his desire to learn he took many correspondence and night school courses.  He studied many subjects in horticulture, locksmith, carpentry, and became a certified electrician.  Very much becoming a ‘Jack of all Trades’ he worked as the grounds keeper at the Vocational School (Selkirk College – Silverking Campus) and in the ‘70s hired on with the Provincial Gov’t with the British Columbia Building Corp. (BCBC). This led him to work at BC Parks as construction foreman and eventually he supervised building projects through the ‘Hoods in the Woods’ program where many of the trails and shelters are still frequented today.

Fred and Audrey raised four children on their small hobby farm on Heddle Road. Raising horses, cows, chickens and harvesting a huge garden kept them busy for many years while the children were growing up. Mostly under the direction of Audrey, every summer they managed to get away on a family camping trip either in the Okanagan or the Kootenays. They hosted many family gatherings and were very involved in community activities including the local Anglican Church and their children’s school at 6-Mile. Fred will be remembered for his easy-going manner and his great smile!

Fred is survived by his sister Alice Bustard, his four children; David Heddle, Randi Jensen, Christine Rempel and Mark Heddle. He has 8 grandchildren, Michelle Jensen, Jennifer Jensen, Nichole (nee: Jensen) Pownall, Poul Jensen, Emily (nee: Rempel) Kruger, Cheryl (nee: Rempel) Holler, Brittany (nee: Heddle:) Dosanjh, Nolan Heddle.  As well, he has nine amazing great grandchildren; Logan, Axel, Wyatt, Cole, Taylor, Billie, Jai, Bodhi,and Martin.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Audrey, siblings – Gordon Palmer, Walt Palmer, Vi Davis, Audrey Riley, Bill Heddle and Ted Healey. Fred’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff at the Victorian Long Term Care facility in Kaslo, where he spent the last few months of his life. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on Fred’s birthday, Saturday, July 8, 2023. 2 – 5 pm. Friends, neighbours and family welcome. Middle Road Common House – Heddle Road.

Donations will be gracefully accepted to the Fred & Audrey Legacy Fund at Osprey Community Foundation. https://ospreycommunityfoundation.ca

 

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