Obituary of Alexander Emil Wilhelm

Alexander Emil Wilhelm 1936 - 2009 Alexander Emil Wilhelm, resident of Dawson Creek, passed away on December 20, 2009, at the age of seventy three. Alexander Wilhelm was one of 6 children born on June 4, 1936, in Lapman, Saskatchewan, to Gustov and Natalia Wilhelm. Alex grew up in the Saskatchewan area and attended school in Woodley, Saskatchewan. Alex then headed off to college at the Manitoba Technical Institute and graduated there in 1957. Alex moved to Dawson Creek, BC in 1963, BC, we believe it was for fresh job opportunities. Alex then met Lesley Tackaberry which started their lifelong companionship. Within a year of meeting, Alex decided he would not live without her, and he proposed. On July 10, 1965, Alex and Lesley pledged their love to one another, and they stayed happily married for forty-four years. Two years after marriage, the couple welcomed their first addition to their family. On May 9, 1967, their first son, Don, was born. Just over a year later, on September 20, 1968, the couple welcomed a set of twins to their developing family: son, Barry, and daughter, Barbara. Our Dad worked hard to support his growing family by working multiple jobs at the same time ranging from; projectionist at the Crest theatre, and at the Drive-In theatre, as well as the old Pool Hall and working at the CJDC as Engineer. In 1977, he partnered up with Eric Sorenson and opened up their business, called Audio TV Service. After many years at the shop, he took at permanent position at the School District 59, working his way up to Electronics Shop Foreman. We remember Dad always tinkering and fixing on something for someone or for one of us kids. Dad was also a strong supporter of our local hockey team the Junior Canucks and the Senior Canucks. At one point Dad was heavily involved with the Senior Canucks by becoming part of the Board of Directors and up to President of the DC Canucks. Recently, his part was a favorable one, manning the penalty box. We would tease him each time about being bad and being banned to the penalty box, he never seemed to get tired of hearing it. Dad really enjoyed his hockey. For as long as we can remember Dad was involved with the DC Canucks. It would be a treat for us kids each time when he took us to the hockey games as we would get to stay up late and eat chips and drink pop. Dad also had a love for music, but only country. Rock and Roll to him was listening to Johnny Horton or Charlie Pride while singing in his deep enjoyable voice. Music started early for our Dad, while he was still living at home. Dad would often tell us how he would enjoy Anita’s (sister) singing and that she had a lovely voice. Dad could play the harmonica, played the autoharp and just recently took up learning how to play the guitar. Dad always enjoyed a good jam session. For years in tradition, Dad would prep the trailer to attend Keray Regan’s annual weekend jam session. He also attended a few years at the Tupper jam session, which started new friendships and wonderful memories. After losing Mom (Lesley) this summer, it was comforting knowing Dad was surrounded by friends who dearly loved him. Dad was part of a "crew” who would do the things Dad loved to do. The "crew” would be those who he would jam with, most of those were also the quadding crew and the coffee crew. Dad always tried to see the good in things. He was a very strong man who never gave up. No matter how bad things got Dad would be cracking jokes and teasing who ever was near. That will be the one thing I will remember the most about my Dad is his sense of humor, it never left him. Dad was always there to help us whenever we needed it. He will be sadly missed. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Alexander was predeceased by wife, Lesley Wilhelm (July 2009), father, Gustov Wilhelm, and mother Natalia Ferchoff. Alexander was survived by children, Don, Barry (Sandy), and Barb (Jim) Moi; brothers, Herman (Elsie), Ben (Lil), George; sisters, Elsie and Anita; grandchildren, Chantel, Derek, Matthew, Tyler, and Cole; and many nieces and nephews. Written by Barb Moi (daughter) Alex was cremated and by his request no service will be held. Arrangements under the care of Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia 250-782-2577