VASSAR, William John “Bill”

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Born August 15, 1935 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to John and Mary Vassar. Bill went to be with Our Lord on the 18th of January, 2013, at home in the arms of his loving wife, Merie and his faithful dog, Zoey. Bill started his career at an early age, working for 7Up as a salesperson. He then worked for Combined Insurance as Manager. He transferred to Calgary where he was employed by Sovereign Life Insurance as a Manager and was promoted to Executive Vice President in a very short time. He was with them for 7 years. Bill retired at age 52 and moved to Kelowna with his loving wife, Merie. Bill was a long time member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus in Kelowna and Aids Hospice. He coached Midget AA Hockey in Kelowna and Bill was always attending his grandson Johnathon’s PeeWee and Midget games. He was an exceptional father and Giga (Grandfather). Bill was a loving and kind husband to his wife Merie (The General). They travelled on many cruises until Bill’s health started to fail. He bravely fought his many illnesses along with kidney dialysis. During this time his main concern was for his wife Merie and his children. He is survived by his wife Merie; daughter Jonna & partner Brian; son Bill & wife Kim; grandsons Johnathon and Matthew; sister Jacquie; nephews Johnny, Jeff and Jerry of Los Angeles, California; brother-in-law Joe (Norma); and nephew Joey (Dawn) from Kelowna. Thank you to the nurses at Kelowna General Hospital. Also to Dr. McIntosh and Dr. Welsh and staff at KGH. Bill had a marvelous sense of humour and will keep them laughing in heaven. There will be an opportunity to visit with the family and to pay your last respects to Bill at the Prayer service on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC with a Mass to be held Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:30 am at St. Charles Garnier Parish, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the KGH Foundation Kidney Dialysis Unit, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2 or to the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4 – 1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9.