May 15, 1947 - June 13, 2024
In loving memory ~
Orval passed away peacefully with his family by his side at KLH on June 13, 2024.
Orval was born May 15, 1947 in Melfort, Sask. He was the fifth child of six born to Fred and Mary Coe. The family moved to BC's West Coast when Orval was 4 and Orval lived there until moving to Nelson in 1977 "on a bet"! Orval and Verna married in 1980 and lived in Glade, Highway Side, raising their daughter and son.
Orval loved to cook for a crowd. He'd plan, shop, prep and cook for days to celebrate occasions. He put the same energy into canning tomato sauces and salsas and smoking fish and beef jerky. He passed this passion on to his son. Orval also loved working with wood. His garage smelt great from either the smoker or sawdust. Orval had a poetic knack for words from a young age and would present assignments done in rhyme to his teachers. No one was spared from his poetic humour, not family, work colleagues, neighbours, hockey teams etc. He was very funny and right-on-the-money with his poems. He also had a large repertoire of jokes, mainly off-coloured. He loved playing cards especially Crib, Hearts and Durak. He was very competitive and ruthless.
Orval retired from the Min of Trans & Highways after 30 years with the Geotech Branch in 2005. He then joined Local # 1611 of the Laborers' International Union of North America and thoroughly enjoyed working at the Brilliant Dam Expansion Project and at a few shutdowns at Teck.
Orval will be sorely missed by those who loved him, wife Verna, daughter Lisa and husband Chris, son Vance and wife Sarah, grandchildren Siena, Bodhi, Ava and Sage. Sister Sharon and many relatives and friends. Rest in peace Orval
Heartfelt thanks to Tarrys Fire/Rescue First Responders, BC Ambulance, Health Care Workers at KLH and KBRH. And mostly to Dr. Phillip Kubara for all the care he gave Orval the past few years. Thank you.