On Saturday, July 19th, John Arnold Aben passed away peacefully at Dunrovin Nursing Home with family at his side.
He leaves behind Eleanor, his loving wife of 54 years, daughter Denise (Kerry) Legeard of Caledonia, ON and son Terence (Jodi) Aben of Victoria, BC. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jordan, Benjamin, and Jasper, his younger siblings Arnold Aben, Josephine Crutch and Tony Aben, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Antonia Aben, daughter Sheila-Marie, grandson Spencer Aben and siblings Johanna Bateman, Mary Buxton, Rica Simmons, Henry Aben, and Lena Gerlinski.
John was born in Coalhurst, Alberta and was the 6th of 9 children. He grew up on a large farm until the family moved to Bonnington in the Kootenays in 1945 where he attended the Catholic School in Nelson until his graduation. He began working for Canada Safeway in 1957 and was transferred first to Castlegar and then to Quesnel in September of 1967, where he remained until his retirement from Safeway in 1992. During his lifetime John enjoyed skiing, woodworking, canoeing, hiking and gardening. He even went rock climbing on his 72nd birthday. He was an active member of the Catholic Church where he was a song leader, Reader, Eucharistic Minister and a Lay Presider. The family wishes to thank Dr. Van Dyk and staff at G.R.Baker Memorial Hospital and Dunrovin Nursing Home for their kindness and care of John. They also appreciate the help and support they have received from friends and family over the last 2 years of John’s illness.
A Funeral Mass was held on July 24, 2014 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church with a reception following the service. If so desired, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
“Hold the lift, just one more run”