Obituary of Rodney Wayne Pettypiece

Rodney Wayne Pettypiece was born in Penticton on September 7th, 1949. He was raised in Cawston, BC surrounded by his family. Rod was a family man and always put family first. In those early years they enjoyed the rivers and lakes of the Okanagan and there are wild stories, especially with his cousin Roger, of fast cars, high speed chases, and riding the rails. They would drive their car onto an old railway track and let some air out of the tires and then drift along down the rails. In 1970 Rod was transferred to Cranbrook with Stedmans and it was then that he met the love of his life, Sue Bridge. They married on October 9th, 1971 and soon had two daughters, Marcy in 1973 and Lisa in 1975. Rod and Sue made their home in Cranbrook, BC. Rod was a faithful husband, and devoted Father. Rod was a loyal employee at Skookumchuck Pulp Mill for forty years.

In the early years especially, Rod and his family along with his parents returned to the Okanagan every Easter to meet up with his brother Don and family and the Keremeos relatives and friends. There the growing families enjoyed catching up, playing the guitar together, and Easter egg hunts for the children. During the summer they spent time with the Bridge family at the Cabin at Monroe Lake swimming, boating, and water skiing. They enjoyed snow skiing and golfing as a family and many memorable family vacations. Rod and Sue and the girls enjoyed every Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Bridge's home with all the family together celebrating the season.

In 1992 Rod was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and underwent a massive surgery. Against all odds, Rod recovered from that surgery and was cancer free for twenty years.

The years went by and Rod and Sue spent summers at their Gray Creek retreat where they enjoyed boating and beach combing along Kootenay Lake. They loved times around the fire with their friends and family at Cedar Grove. Rod and Sue had a golf membership at Balfour and at Bootleg Gap and they enjoyed exploring the many golf courses in our area.

In 2008 doctors suspected that the cancer had returned. Rod refused more surgery and took his family on a very special and memorable vacation to Mexico. In 2012 Rod learned that the cancer had metastasized to his liver. Even as his strength waned, Rod continued to enjoy their times at Kootenay Lake and moments with his friends and family. Gone was the long drive, but he was still out there hitting the ball on the golf course. He faced his illness courageously and never complained.

Finally, with great courage and quiet dignity, Rod passed away at East Kootenay Regional Hospital in the early hours of April 2nd, 2014. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 43 years Sue Pettypiece and all her family, his two daughters Marcy and Lisa, brother Don Pettypiece and his family, along with many friends and extended family. Rod was predeceased by his father Orville Pettypiece, his Mother Vera Mizen and his step-father Harry Mizen.

We are left with a legacy of strong family values, courage, strength, integrity and a lifetime of sweet memories that forever burn in the hearts of the friends and family who dearly love him.

A memorial service for Rod will take place at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations in his honour can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 19 - 9th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 2L9. We wish to express our thanks to all our friends and family who stood by and to the medical professionals who cared for Dad during his illness.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com