Obituary of Vernon Moore

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Vernon Moore, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Monday, September 20, 2021, at the age of 71 years.  A funeral service for Vernon will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 1 pm in Reynars Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery.  For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Vernon to Diabetes Canada (formerly: Canadian Diabetes Assc.), 360-1385 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V9.

Eulogy

Ruth 1:16 – from the book of Ruth: 

But Ruth replied, don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your god my god.

I would like to begin by thanking everyone for coming to celebrate our dear Vernon’s life. Our uncle was really the most sincere, gentle, and reliable soul I have ever known. If Vern said he was going to do something –he always followed through—and I know that all of you would agree. 

I had always imagined that I would soon be listening to another one of Uncle Vern’s stories, I never imagined I’d be up here sharing his.  I am greatly saddened, humbled, and honored to be here celebrating Vern’s life with you.  I only hope that I can tell his story as intelligently as he would have told mine.  I think we can all agree Ruth won the real lottery when she chose Vern all those years ago, and she has been sharing the winnings with all of us ever since.  Although, I’m sure he would say it was he who won the lottery, so let’s just call it what it is, a double jackpot!  Proving that all you need to be is lucky in love.

I know I speak for all of us when I say we would like to thank Skye for this beautifully written eulogy, and everyone who has contributed, we know it was not easy.  Shell for giving us all the comfort of knowing she was with Vern when we could not be.  Ruth for her courage, love, and devotion to a man so deserving of it all.  We love you and we thank you.  And of course, Sheila…because at the end of the day we are all just walking each other home.  And you were right there every step of the way.  Thank you.

Vernon was born on September 25^th, 1949, in Dawson Creek BC. Vernon was the third child born to Melvin and Annie Moore. Vernon was the first son and loved by all immensely. Vern has two older sisters, Margret, and Nelda. Two younger brothers, Arthur, and Bill and three younger sisters Cindy, Jenny, and Debbie. Sister Margret fondly remembers Vernon’s love for Christmas Eve dinners shared with his siblings and their families. Some years, he would have up to three different meals! He would then drive back to Dawson Creek and have Christmas Day with Ruth’s family.

Vern was born and raised in Dawson Creek.  Things were not easy back then, you worked hard and school was certainly not on the priority list for successful survival. If you could earn some money working, then school can wait you could always easily catch up. Vern would make friends from childhood that would be life- long. One in particular was Harold Dostal who just happened to be Ruth's brother so that sure helped cement him into the family. Hanging out and fixing up cars with Harold meanwhile his eyes were always on Ruth.

Uncle Vern always knew the value of what it meant to work hard. Vernon started working at a very young age—he operated equipment for Soychuk for many years.  He also worked around Fort St John doing many different camp jobs. Vern also worked as roofer, a sheet metal worker and owned his own trucks at one time, all before opening The Quintette Coal mine in 1983.  For many years he drove to and from the mine in Tumbler Ridge to his home in Dawson Creek that he shared with the love of his life Ruby.  Just as Vern had been a part of opening the mine—he was also a part of helping to close it down roughly 18 years later. What an incredible achievement and work ethic he had—the true definition of a blue-collar working man. When the mine shut down, Vern and Ruth had to make the decision to leave Dawson Creek and move to Sparwood BC in 2000, where Vernon worked at the Tek Mine for the next 20 years, he was due to retire this year.

Vernon and Ruth never did have children of their own, but this doesn’t mean that they were not parents. They guided and helped raise many of their nieces, nephews, cousins, and even siblings. Taking special note of Vern’s girl Sheila and Sheila’s two daughters Skye, and Shell. Vern and Ruth’s home was always a safe space where us kids were welcome. Uncle Vern taught us kids the importance of being respectful to our elders, the importance of working hard, how to be strong and how to be kind and grateful. He always wanted us kids to know that we could do anything we set our minds to. Vernon taught us that even 1200 miles couldn’t keep you from the ones you love.

Vern loved visiting and conversation, he had a knowledge of any and every issue it seemed, never swaying with uncertainty always sure and confident in his knowledge and he was always right and open to challenge and debate. It seemed he always had the right advice and many times it was not what you hoped for.

When Vernon was 17, he met the one true love of his life Ruth Dostal. Ruth was 19 at the time. They went on to spend over 45 glorious years together. Uncle Vern had many names for our Aunt Ruth, he liked to call her Ruthie, Ruby, and The Sarg(ent). This stemmed from our aunt’s uncanny ability to always give uncle his marching orders from morning until night. They looked after one another in different ways for over 5 decades. That kind of love is rarely seen currently. A love like theirs was to us as kids growing up like something from a Disney Movie. Memories of late-night snacks at the kitchen table with a cup of tea + honey for Uncle Vern, and instant coffee with pacific milk for Ruby—and depending which kids were over determined the snacks that were grabbed from our special snack cupboard on the left side of the kitchen sink.

Winter days were spent playing records on the record player and summer days were spent taking long drives in the car. Or Uncle Vern begrudgingly joining us all on an afternoon walk.

Melody remembers Uncle Vern to be the best whistler ever!  She says he loved to whistle, and she is sure that he could whistle any tune. She remembers the love they both shared for classical music.

When Vern and Ruth left Dawson Creek to make the move to Sparwood BC, Vernon really began to do all the things he had always dreamed of. He met the very best friends, that quickly became family. Vernon loved telling us his stories and adventures that he went on with Benny, Sam, Satiah (Sah-Tee-Ah) Chris, and their families. From group trips to Las Vegas, where they enjoyed Rugby Tournaments to family weddings, house moves and any family gatherings.  They formed a bond that was and will remain unbreakable.

Uncle loved to travel, ride his motorcycle, and in his younger years building and working on old trucks like Mrs. Sarnicky

It was exciting news when we learned that Vern and Ruth would be moving back to Dawson Creek to retire. Ruth was not really keen on that idea, but Vern convinced her they should try it out then decide. They would make several trips back and forth moving home, some of the loads Vern feared might break his truck but he kept going anyway. Once back he quickly got busy organizing house repairs.  Cement was poured in the garage, new flashings, new eavestroughs, new doors, he was very happily renovating. Many of the family gladly helped not knowing how precious this time spent with him would be.

Vernon passed away September 20^th, 2021, at Saint Paul’s hospital with his darling Ruby and daughter Shell by his side. What a legacy, what a life. I invite all of you to keep Uncle Vern alive in your hearts. We were all touched by his presence, and we are all each a little better because of that. Vernon has given us the greatest gift, memories we all will cherish forever. In closing, I would like to share these last words with you:

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glint on the snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you wake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flights

I am the soft starlight at night

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Vernon, thank you for being part of our lives. We are all going to miss you, our life’s journey has forever changed.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium