We Remember
SOLAR, Lawrence
—
Passed away peacefully on March 16, 2015 at the age of 91. Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Betty and their three children: Patricia (Ken) Stroud, John Solar and Julie-Ann Solar; two grandchildren: Chad (Lara) Stroud, Raquel (Bent) Thors; four great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sister Helen Welham; brother Donald Solar; sister-in-law Mary and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two brothers: Michael, Melvin and sister Margaret. Prayers will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service on Monday, March 23rd at 10:00 am, both at St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1935 Barlee Road, Kelowna, BC.
Lawrence Solar was born Friday, April 13, 1923. He attended Dublin Bay School and Wycliffe High School in Sifton. Having acquired the quarter section of land adjacent to the home quarter, Lawrence pursued a career of farming, interspersed by sojourn employment in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba. He resided in the Dublin Bay Area of Manitoba until 1953. Lawrence then went to work for the Canadian National Railway, serving at various locations from 1953-1956 and became permanently established with CN in Dauphin, MB in 1956. Lawrence married Betty Hawyrsh of Dauphin, MB in June 1958. He was transferred to The Pas, MB in November 1969; to Regina, SK in March 1973; and finally Winnipeg, MB in June 1976 as an executive in the engineering department. After many loyal years of hard work and promotions, Lawrence accepted a position as a senior consultant on a railway construction site in São Luis, Brazil, South America, 2.5 degrees south of the equator. Lawrence and Betty became fluent in the Portuguese language, which made them fluent in three languages; Ukrainian, English and Portuguese. Lawrence began journaling while working at CN in the 1970s and stayed committed to that throughout his life. He was particularly fond of journaling the weather (being a farmer) and the daily ins and outs of life, noting special events. On many occasions, family has often referred to those journal entries in good humor to solve disputes about the weather during a specific year, the best time for mushroom picking, or to recall the correct version of a story.
In Lawrence’s retirement (1984), he found himself busier than ever, from gardening (he even took a botanical course at the University of Winnipeg) to building a shed and patio furniture. He and Betty lived part-time in Arizona (as snowbirds). Lawrence surprised himself by retiring in Summerland, BC (he originally thought he would retire in Dauphin). Of course, a summer never went by when they didn’t travel to Dauphin as both Lawrence and Betty appreciated their ability to be able to get in the vehicle and drive out to MB to see their valued family and friends.
Lawrence was an active member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kelowna. He became involved in the administration. It was in May 2007 that he and Betty moved to Kelowna, BC, which made it an easy commute (just across the parking lot).
It is hard to capture the many parts of Lawrence’s life, but in his own words, “he had a great marriage and a wonderful life”. Over the past year, when his health was failing, he rarely complained, citing “this was part of his journey” strong with his faith to see him through the difficult times in life.
We leave you with one of his favourite proverbs “don’t be afraid to go out on a limb, that is where the fruit is.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, you may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Prayer Service
Sunday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm
Service
Monday, March 23rd at 10:00 am
Location
St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church
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Service Information
Service Details
The prayer service for SOLAR, Lawrence is scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm at located at , .
The service for SOLAR, Lawrence is scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1935 Barlee Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
To Betty and Family
Our sincerest condolence on your loss
I would like to send you my heart felt condolences in your loss of such a good man, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Although he is at peace now, those left behind have to bare the sorrow of missing him. I hope all the love he shared with so many, will stay in your hearts, to come to mind, when you are thinking of him and missing him. Love and hugs to Betty and family.
To Betty, Julie and the family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Betty and family – my thoughts are with you at this time. As I read Lawrence’s obit I thought of our time together on Scott St. here in Summerland. Those were good times for sure, but not when you had the leak in the basement while you were at the Coast. Scott St. has changed since you moved to Kelowna but with the changes, memories still linger. Take care.
Auntie Betty and family-it saddens us very much to hear of Uncle Lawrence passing. Looking back I feel like you both were there with us through the big moments in life and many many family gatherings. More recently Stuart and I were blessed to have you both at our wedding. Stuart really enjoyed the few games of crib played between him and Uncle Lawrence in Canmore and on the deck in The Pas at Meaghan’s wedding. (He still couldn’t beat you Auntie Betty:) We will keep him in all those wonderful memories our Solar families shared. Love to you all. xo
Our sympathy to Betty and all members of Lawrence’s family.
We had the pleasure of meeting Lawrence when his grandson Chad Stroud married our daughter Lara in our back yard in 2001, and his strong character and wonderful sense of humour were immediately evident.
Our thoughts will be with you Sunday and Monday as you celebrate Lawrence’s remarkable life.
Kathy and Rod Fimrite
Betty and family..I am truly sorry for your loss , Lawrence was a great man , he will truly be missed and will always be remembered . Hugs !!
Patricia, I was so sorry to hear about your dads’ passing..My condolences to you and your family..Sincerely, your friends Bernice Renee and Austin..love you!!
Betty, Julie and family,
Our sincerest condolences to all of you. Our thoughts are with you. He was a wonderful man!
Betty and Family,
Through family (Raye, Harry, Paul)we have been kept updated over the years, so I was saddened to learn of Lawrence’s passing. Our sincerest condolences to you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!