Obituary of Wayne Victor Haddad

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Victor Haddad of Cranbrook BC,  on November 18, 2024 at the age of 84.  

Wayne was the son of George Haddad (wife Betty), a former alderman and mayor for the City of Cranbrook, who also served as MLA.

Wayne’s father George ran Haddad and Gartside Motors from its founding in 1940. As a teen, Wayne, a 1958 graduate of Mount Baker High School, could often be found working in the shop after school.  In 1965 he bought out his father’s partner and the Chrysler Dodge dealership was renamed Cranbrook Motors. After selling the dealership in 1988, Wayne was a sales manager at several local dealerships and then became a Financial Advisor with The Mutual Group, which later became Sun Life.  As an Advisor, Wayne was the founder of Haddad Financial Services.

In 1961 he met the love of his life Joan Cherbo and they married March 30, 1963 in the United Church in Cranbrook.  Joan said she only married him because he let her drive his car…lol.  Wayne and Joan had two daughters, Cora and Wanda.

Wayne had a true zest for life with golfing being a major passion. Wayne was the first junior to join the Cranbrook Golf Club in 1951.  He was a scratch golfer in his younger days playing more than 100 rounds a year.

But Wayne had many hobbies in addition to golfing;  fishing, hunting, playing hockey, horseback riding, snowmobiling, bowling and curling. He also enjoyed racing his stock car on the old dirt oval track at Echo Field Raceway.

At the tender age of 16 Wayne obtained his pilot’s license and was thrilled to fly his father’s open cockpit airplane.

Wayne served as President of the Cranbrook Kennel Club, helping to organize the Cranbrook all breed dog shows. 

Wayne was a director for 22 years (1982 to 2004) with the BC Golf Association. He thoroughly enjoyed his trips as a chaperone taking junior boys to various golf tournaments.

Wayne took his family on many vacations from fishing the rivers for spring salmon near Telegraph Creek in Northern BC to being part of a group from Cranbrook that chartered a 727 to Orlando, Florida to enjoy Disney World. There were also a couple of trips to Disney Land and one to Nashville. And too many camping trips to count!

Wayne enjoyed many years with his grandson BJ (Robert) McLuckie, taking him on many fun adventures.  Grandpa Wayne was surprised when young BJ, who was then living in Smithers, BC, knew all about the Titan truck in Sparwood.

As husband, father and granddad, Wayne will be greatly missed. Family and friends will cherish the many memories of a life well lived.

Wayne is survived by his wife Joan Haddad, daughters Cora Tschetters (Cecil) and Wanda Haddad, grandson BJ McLuckie, sister Carol (Bill) Millburn, step grandchildren Steven

(Kari) Tschetters & family Liz Folino & family, Katherine Tschetters & family, and Dorian (Chris) Kernaghan & family.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents George & Elizabeth Haddad and sister Joan Stocktan.

A Celebration of Life in Wayne's honour will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook, British Columbia. The Celebration will be live streamed and recorded, please see Wayne obituary page for the link.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the BC SPCA East Kootenay or a charity of your choice.