We Remember
NEID, Larry
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Long-time resident of East Kelowna Larry Neid passed away December 19, 2017 at Kelowna General Hospital, he was 91.
Larry was born in Beausejour MB February 14th 1926 and moved to East Kelowna at an early age. He attended East Kelowna Elementary and Kelowna High School; he served with the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. After the war Larry continued to work in Kelowna and married Dede Dickie in 1950. Shortly after their marriage – due to the death of Larry’s oldest brother (Ed) and sister-in–law (Anne) – Larry and Dede fostered his nephews Allan and Michael.
Larry was predeceased by his wife of 56 years Dede, daughter Lori and 12 siblings; two of which died at a very young age.
Larry is survived by Allan and Michael, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
A Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Very sad to read of Mr. Neid’s passing, he was a very kind, funny person with lots of stories. I had the pleasure of spending some time with him picking cherries, apples, and riding around on his scooters with Shannie right behind us. He will be missed.
My very sincere condolences to the family.
Karen Weninger
Larry and Dede met my folks years ago camping up at Shuswap lake campground. We visited them many times up in Kelowna at their home. They were always gracious and kind to my whole family. I remember playing with Mugs out in the yard with Lori and my sister. My folks kept in contact for years and always enjoyed catching up with Larry. They will be very sad to hear of Larry’s passing. My condolences to the family.
My deepest sympathies to Michael and family for your loss. It is never easy, no matter the age, or time of year. Brian Pekrul
So sorry to see you go Larry. My sincere condolences Michael and family. I’m relieved that you never had to move from your beloved home – you enjoyed it till the end. I’ll miss your calls to the doctor’s office, rides in your cherry picker picking the best cherries in the valley, talking about the local history, your history and the history all around you. Your character shone Larry!
Oh the memories! We Evans’ lived just below Larry and Dede’s – in the gravel pit – and the Neid’s were good friends with our parents. In fact, Larry went to Elementary School with Dad. He loved to remind me of that.Two childhood memories stand out for me – Hallowe’en and the BIG chocolate bars and Boxing Days spent passing around Christmas treats to all the guests at the Neid’s annual get together …….After I moved away from East Kelowna and after Dede had passed away, I went to visit Larry as often as I could . He was always happy to see me ( and knew who I was right away ) and asked about everyone in the family – he never forgot anyone. He was very interested in us Evans’ kids………The community has lost a true old-timer. We will be watching for details of a celebration of life in the Spring and the Evans’s will be well represented in order to honour Larry………Sally, Janis, Dave, Tom and Megan Evans
My condolences to Michael and family. Larry was one of my fathers best friends for their entire lives. I am very fortunate to have been able to share so many wonderful memories at the Neid’s farm. My father and grandfather used to drive me to the farm in the summer so I could pick cherries. Larry insisted that every single cherry be picked off the tree and inspected same before you could move on to another tree. Two years ago he was not as particular and insisted I move to a “better” tree.
Larry always took time to chat and serve up some refreshing drinks in this front yard. I will cherish these memories.
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I have known Larry for many years. I am a customer service clerk at Costco, and we would see Larry a few times a week, when he would come in to buy a rotisserie chicken for his beloved dog Shanie, cream puffs, coffee and orange juice for his many guests that would visit up him at his beautiful orchard. He was a constant to many of our long term employees. Word of his passing brought tears to many of our eyes.
Over the years myself, my husband and son would visit Larry up at the orchard. He would give us boxes of delicious apples and cherries to take home. As our son says…we could taste that they were grown with love. He and our son Grayson would race through the orchard on his scooters, both of them giggling along the path. He would always entice our son to take a solo ride on his durette. We all loved our visits with Larry. Wheather we were sitting in his kitchen, or outside at his picnic table on a hot summer day, we were always riveted by the stories of his life. He would talk about being a child, teenager, his time in the navy, his Dede and Lori, and his boys, how he started his orchard, his job at BA oil…and of his many ailments, and how they came to be.
I loved the twinkle in his eye, we always hung onto his every word. We enjoyed his sweet smile, and devilish sense of humor. He made us laugh, and cry and always left us with the need to live! He was both humble and stubborn but, such a breath of fresh air. Our time with him always passed quickly, and we always left wanting to hear more of his stories. He certainly could tell a story like no other. Larry will be dearly missed by many. We would love to attend his celebration of life.
He has been someone who has stopped to chat every time he saw me, over the years I was proud to call him my friend.
I will miss you young man!
With love and respect,
Susin, Stan and Grayson Souter
Larry was a sweet man who will be missed. He was a frequent visitor on our farm and kept us in the know about the countryside. After he retired, we still kept in touch and over the past number of years, I would drop in on him for a chat at his kitchen table. Lately he was full of stories on the East Kelowna Hall of which I am treasurer. He was still disturbed that as a boy the kids had to contribute to pay for the light for the ice rink.
Myself and staff at Kelowna Toyota have enjoyed our friendship with Larry
over many years.. Lastly he bought a Sienna Van that would give him lots
of room and room for his beloved pet.. Larry was always so polite, engaging
and patient..
I have an Auntie Emma Lansdowne who knew Larry and Dede so well from years ago and
living on Dunster Road.. she told me a few nice stories..
The community was advantaged to have such a citizen as Larry.. of course he will be
greatly missed by family and friends… Jack Kofoed manager Kelowna Toyota
Mr. Neid was a great man and is surely be missed by many. He shared all kinds of interesting stories about the local history of East Kelowna with me… back in the 90’s when I picked for him in his wonderful apple orchard.
We had many great times with my parents and the Neid’s when I was young. We moved away and lost touch. So sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to Alan and Michael. Lynn