It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Wilbur Trippel at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital April 22, 2015. He was born on the family farm near Laird, Sask. March 27, 1926.
He left Sask. as a young man to join his siblings in Trail. He got a job at Cominco in the Warfield ammonia plant where he was always eager to learn.
He married Hermina (Minka) Dec. 18, 1948 and they moved to Montrose where they built a house and raised their 2 children, Gerald and Laura. Wilbur was always proud of his garden and fruit trees. He was well known for his expertise at tree grafting. There are many fruit trees in the area that bear varied fruits due to his experiments. In his younger years, he loved hiking and camping and he always had a love of music. He played various instruments and loved to sing and was always willing to share his music with others – at church, care homes and family gatherings. He served his community as a Cub Scout leader and as a council man and even served as acting Mayor in Montrose when the need arose.
Wilbur was predeceased by all 9 of his siblings and by his wife and son. He is survived by his daughter Laura Volk of Cranbrook, a granddaughter Melanie Mercier (Chad) and great-grandson Ryan of Elkford and grandson Gerald Volk. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and his devoted neighbours Michael and Ruth Whitehead, Colleen Fairburn, and Maureen Blundell, and of course, his furry companion Mitsy.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the Trail Alliance Church, 3365 Laburnum Drive, Trail on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:00am with interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Jordan Wren of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca