It is with deep sadness that the family of Irwin (Irv) Bernard Kirsh announce his passing on January 13, 2007 at the age of seventy-eight years in G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital, Quesnel, B.C., after a brief battle with cancer. He died peacefully with his loving family by his side.
Funeral services for Irwin were held on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at Clayton’s Funeral Chapel with Rev. Teri Meyer officiating. He was cremated and interment will follow at a later date in the Tranquility Gardens at the Quesnel Cemetery.
Irwin was predeceased by his father Walter Kirsch, mother Josephine Kirsch, step-father Oscar Laycock, brother Fred Kirsh, sister Sharon Laycock and his companion Doraine Stromme.
Irwin will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Karen (Jim) Flux of Vancouver, son Calvin (Cathy) Kirsh of Quesnel, daughter Kathryn (Kiddo) (Brian) Andriashyk of Kamloops. He will also be missed by his grandchildren Carlie (Alec) Borrett, Ryan Roch, Clinton (Samantha) Kirsh, Karri Lynn Andriashyk, Crystal (Ryan) Campbell, Stacie Andriashyk, Hollie Andriashyk and Courtney Kirsh, his great grandchildren Lilly Borrett, Alexandra Borrett, Donnie Bailey, Preston Kirsh, as well as many other family members and friends.
Irwin was born on April 10, 1928 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. As a young boy he moved with his family to Vancouver, B.C. where he grew up and received his education. In the late 1940’s his family moved to Castle Rock, B.C. to take up ranching.
In 1955 he married his first wife, Verna Porter. Together they had three children while still living in Castle Rock. Irv continued to ranch and worked in various small sawmills. He started scaling with a scaler’s licence in 1957 and this would be the beginning of his lifelong career.
In 1961 they sold their ranch and moved to Quesnel where he built a home for his family on Two Mile Flat. He continued to work as a scaler in various sawmills.
In 1967 he decided to get back into ranching and moved his family to a ranch on McLean Road. Irv also continued to work at the sawmill and in 1968 he started working at West Fraser as a log scaler for the Ministry of Forests. He continued in that job until he retired in 1985.
Irv met his second companion, Doraine Stromme, in 1973 and eventually sold his ranch and they moved back to his home on Two Mile Flat where he currently resided.
During the early years of his retirement he did a lot of traveling and also spent many summers at 10 Mile Lake fishing and spending time with friends.
Irv was a very proud and devoted family man. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his easy going personality and his faithfulness as a friend. He had a good sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He was an avid hunter and a great fisherman, always winning the derbys. He loved to play cards and crib and enjoyed doing so on a regular basis with friends. He liked to go to the casino and always seemed to win the jackpots when no one else could. He enjoyed his garden and making wine and sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Most importantly though, Irv loved to spend time with family and friends. If he wasn’t off visiting someone he’d always have a pot of coffee on for the steady stream of friends that would drop by. Irv will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
The family would like to thank the staff at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion during Irv’s time in the hospital. Thank you to Richard and the staff at Clayton’s Funeral Home for their compassion and guidance at this difficult time. Thank you to Rev. Teri Meyer for delivering a beautiful service. Also, thank you to our family and friends for their support and for coming to Irv’s memorial service.
Those wishing to make a donation in Irwin’s memory may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society, Quesnel & Yukon Division, #3-462 Reid Street, Quesnel, B.C. V2J 2M6, or to the charity of your choice.