John Theodore Clair passed away peacefully on October 24, 2016 in Vernon, BC. Born to Theodore and Winnie Clair April 25, 1924, Ted fondly recalled spending time out on the wilderness of his family’s homestead near Fairview, Alberta. After fire ravaged the home in the cold Alberta winter of 1935 the family moved to Vancouver, where Ted at the age of 12 met Lillian, who was to be the love of his life. Ted joined the Navy in 1943 and fought the Wolf Packs of the north Atlantic until peace was declared. Ted married Lillian in 1949 and the family moved to Vernon in 1964 where they shared many joyful years caring for seven children on their hobby farm north of Vernon.
Ted had a competitive nature that was apparent in his sports, games of horseshoes, tennis, crib, curling, golf, and his beloved baseball which he played plenty of in his youth. He had many job positions over the course of his life including construction, employment with CP Rail maintaining and upgrading rail trestles; working as a carpenter on major projects like the Mica and Revelstoke Dams to bartending in Richmond #5 Legion and Vernon’s own National Hotel, known as the classiest establishment in town, in fact, he was chosen to serve the Queen there in 1971!
To Ted and Lil’s delight their children chose to remain in Vernon, it is a close knit family and their door was always open. In their retirement years Ted and Lil created more wonderful memories vacationing in their motor home to many destinations south of the border.
Ted was pre-deceased by daughter Carol, son-in-law Norm Geistlinger and sister Gloria Soroka. He is survived by his loving wife Lillian, children: Kathy (Fred), Jacquie, Cindy, Cynthia, Jay and David as well as siblings Vitthale and Betty, grandchildren Kevin (Chelan), Wes, Brad, Amanda (Curtis), Brock, eight great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the high level of professional care and compassion provided by Dr. Boucher and all of the VJH nursing team. In lieu of flowers, please support the Canadian Poppy Fund if you wish. Ted’s humor, story-telling, integrity and love will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.