Obituary of Thomas Adam Bethune

Thomas Adam Bethune, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at home in Cranbrook on February 12, 2023, surrounded by his children and Pauline, his wife of 64 years.

Tom is survived by his wife Pauline; sons Darrell (Cheryl) and Don (Michele); daughters Joan (Paul) and Lori-Anne; grandchildren Caitlin (Tim), Keely, Corey, Kelsey, Rachel, Zoë, Gracie, and Hannah; and great-grandson Theodore.

Tom is predeceased by his parents Donald Clifford Bethune and Ruby Belle Bethune and brothers Don Bethune and Lorne Bethune.

Tom grew up in Provost, Alberta. He earned a degree in civil engineering at the University of Alberta in 1957 and an MBA at the University of Western Ontario in 1964. He and Pauline married in 1958 and lived in Edmonton, London, and Guelph before moving to Vancouver in 1967 with their young family.

Tom had a successful career in the Lower Mainland with Armco Canada and Ocean Construction Supplies (later Genstar), then set up Bethune Engineering Ltd and provided project management for several facilities, including the Yaletown House Care Centre and George Derby Veteran’s Centre. He then joined BC Tel as a project manager before retiring to Cranbrook in 1997.

In addition to a lifelong passion for curling, Tom enjoyed skiing, golf, camping, and time with friends and family. In retirement Tom and Pauline travelled widely across Canada and the United States in their fifth wheel, visiting national parks to canoe and hike.

The family extends its gratitude to Dr. Chesney, the excellent home care and palliative care teams, and all the staff at East Kootenay Regional Hospital for their caring and support.

The family will hold a celebration of life in the spring.