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The greatest laugh on earth has now moved to the heavens. With great sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Jerry Marchi. He passed away at his home on March 20, 2014 with his wife, Kendra and son-in-law Matt at his side. He was a father, a grandfather, a brother, a son-in-law, a brother-in-law, an uncle and, most of all, a husband. He is survived by his wife Kendra; his daughters Meagan (Matt) Slubowski of Fruitvale, Jennifer (Bryan) Irons of Kelowna, and Amy (Michael) Conci of Trail; grandchildren Isabella, Heidi and Micah Conci, Sevrina and Benjamin Slubowski, and Holly and Jared Irons; his father and mother-in-law Bert and Isabella Wiens of Fruitvale; sisters Laurie and Sharry Marchi of Calgary and June (Rick) Schleusner of Vernon and brother Ed (Teri) Marchi of Duncan; sister-in-law Lisa (Stacy) Savage of Fruitvale, and brothers-in-law Dennis (Daune) Wiens and Bruce (Cathie) Wiens of Sherwood Park and Kevin (Angela) Wiens of St. Albert; and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents Antonio and Severina Marchi and his sister Diane McConnachie of Fruitvale.

Born May 8, 1949 and raised in Fruitvale, Jerry was the youngest of six children. He enjoyed many hours fishing in Beaver Creek and hunting in the area in his younger years, and he loved cars. He only managed to gain a grade 8 education but after a few odd jobs he took a carpenter apprenticeship taking his schooling in Vancouver, and was proud to have been the youngest journeyman in BC at the time. He apprenticed with Stang Construction, with whom he worked for many years starting at the age of 16. When Stang Construction closed up he was self-employed for a few years before starting with the City of Trail in August 1981. He worked there until going on disability leave on June 24, 2005. He would have officially retired from the City in May 2014, upon his 65th birthday. One of his most treasured jobs and experiences when he took a brief hiatus from Stang Construction was his time up north working with his cousin Lidio on the Liard Hot Springs, near the Alaska Highway. He always dreamed of going back there.

He met the love of his life in the early ‘70s and they were soon joined at the hip. They were married in 1977 and in 1979 he built their family home, mostly himself with some help from friends and family. This home saw three daughters brought home and countless hours of joy and laughter. Years later saw the addition of three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren. He – along with his laugh – was a fixture in Skands Campground in Christina Lake, where he spent countless hours in the water playing with his kids, their cousins and friends, and any other kid who wanted to wait in line for a jump off his shoulders.

Jerry will be remembered for his hard work, his laughter, his compassion, and his determination. But most of all, he will be remembered for the great love that he had for his family.

A celebration of life is to be held at the Beaver Valley Curling Rink (125 Pine Ave, Fruitvale) on Saturday March 29, 2014 at 11:00am Donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association (1750 Courtwood Crescent, Suite 300, Ottawa, ON, K2C 2B5) or the Canadian Diabetes Association (1400-522 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2R5) Jordan Wren of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca



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