May 11, 1932 - September 6, 2020
The family of Jake (Clarence Reginald) Aiken regretfully announce his passing on September 6, 2020 from a stroke. We thank all the health care workers at Poplar Ridge and the friendly managers at Chateau Manor for making his last years pleasant and friendly.
Jake was born to parents, Pearle and Walter Aiken in Rossland, B.C. May 11, 1932 and grew up there with his brothers, Ron, Merv and Don. They had many good times playing baseball, hockey and skiing down the alley. Later the family moved to Shaver's Bench in Trail. During this time, his mother passed away from a lengthy illness. It was a difficult time for the family.
He graduated from school and Trail Business College before joining the fire department at Tadanac then later for Cominco. He proudly served his community as a fireman and paramedic until he retired.
In 1951 he married Connie (Hackett) and soon after had two children, Pam and Gary. A house was purchased in Warfield near the park on Thackeray Street and it was a great location for many get-togethers.
They built a rink in the backyard and invited neighbours and relatives over for lots of hockey games. Later when they added on to their "Mickey Mouse" house they built a pool. Of course there were quite a few fun times at the pool, especially for the unsuspecting new visitors or trusting sisters-in-law, Shirley, Antonette, Irene, Louise and Diane. Many water fights and dunkings occurred. During the winter he built a ski jump on the side of the house that doubled as a turn for the toboggan run down the alley and through the curves at the side of the park.
Jake welcomed everyone with open arms. He enjoyed hosting big family celebrations and always encouraged people to come back for a visit.
Many happy summers were spent at Evans Campground on the Roosevelt Lake Reservoir near Kettle Falls. He often impressed people by his fire starting skills - throwing gasoline on the dry sticks with a chimney on top then lighting a match.
Numerous friends and relatives joined him and Connie at the campsite. He taught many people to waterski, usually with him driving the boat and Connie standing in the water for hours holding up the learner in the water. Jake and his friends built a water ski jump, oiled it and took turns 'trying' it out.
Later he tried to parachute water ski by sewing Cominco fertilizer bags together then getting Connie to gun the motor on the boat so he could fly. He talked about those days with great laughter.
Later on he and Connie had some great road trips with friends and family through Canada and the US, usually arranging the trip for a bit of gambling at Reno or Lake Tahoe. In the winter they skied at Red Mountain where Jake was a member of the ski patrol for many years, often patrolling 6 days a week.
One summer he and his crew brushed out a run that was known as 'Jake's Run' on Granite Mountain. He was a very supportive parent for Pam and Gary's ski careers, often driving a group of racers to ski races. He loved hockey as well and watched many hockey games cheering on his son, grandson and great grandson.
As their grandchildren were growing up, Connie and Bubs as they were called, enjoyed taking the four kids on camping trips and trips to theme parks without their parents. These trips created some of their grandchildren's favourite memories.
He was predeceased by his wife, Connie, in 2013 and his brother Ron in 2003. He is survived by his brothers Merv Aiken and Don Aiken and their families. He is also survived by his son Gary (Debbie Aiken) and daughter Pam (Guy Woods), granddaughters Julie (Craig Goosen) and Brynna (Steve Check), grandsons Gord (Shannon Aiken) and Steve Woods as well as four great-grandchildren John and Sydney Aiken and Hannah and Evie Check. 'Uncle Jake' is also survived by his in-laws, Antonette Hackett of Trail, Shirley McNeil of Calgary, Geoff Chambers of Mirror Lake and their families.
Due to Covid there will be no service but we can all remember him with a cold beer or a glass of rum and coke before a big family celebration, his favourite time! Andreas Schmitz of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services was entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in his name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at 1551 Sutherland Ave #4, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9M9 or online at www.heartandstroke.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services