ERICHUK. Dale Alexander Erichuk, born March 1941, passed away peacefully at the Kamloops Hospice House on July 27, 2009. Dale leaves his loving wife Sheila and his three sons: Rod (Leah) grandchildren Breckin and Conlin; Denny (Krista) grandchildren Kaitlin, Hailey and Matthew; Darcy (Tara) grandchildren Alek and Naomi. He is survived by his brother and sisters; Joan (Mike) Kramer, Caroline Jones, Butch, Linda (Mike) Meek, Sandi (Warren) Banfield, Bonnie, Kathy (Mel) Surgeson. Also by his sister-in-law Maureen (Tom) Mangan and mother-in-law Elise McLaren. Dale is predeceased by his parents Alec and Alice, sister Cec, and brothers John, Denny and Mike. Dale was born in Waterways, AB, but raised in Vernon after the family relocated there. Dale began to pursue a career in truck driving at the young age of 15. As soon as he secured his drivers license he got a job at Ganzeveld Brothers Sawmill where his father and brothers worked. Dale married Sheila in 1965 in Vernon and soon after moved to Kamloops where they raised their three sons. Dale became a logging truck owner-operator and loved getting up at 3 am to do so! He built and settled into his "dream farm" in Knutsford's Beresford Hills in 1994. He saw it as a place where his family and grandkids could always come and be happy. The Beresford Hills Farm has hosted many memorable family gatherings since then, and being the Patriarch of the Erichuk Clan, Dale presided over them all. Dale and Sheila have also made many life-long friends since moving to the Knutsford community. Dale was an avid hockey player in his youth and was very proud of his sons and grandchildren for continuing the sport. To support both his and their love of the game, he built an official sized hockey rink on the farm; complete with a working zamboni and a referee, Gertie the border collie. The rink served double-duty since it became a riding arena in the summer months where he could watch his wife and granddaughters ride their beloved horses. Dale showed his love by his actions, and his actions spoke louder than words. He was also very funny; his dry sense of humour often took people by surprise. He was grateful for the things that he had and always encouraged others to feel the same way. Dale had a stubborn streak, but this trait served him well. He never gave up on someone or something if he thought that they could do it, or thought that the task could be accomplished. His strong hands and gentle heart will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held at the Beresford Hills Farm in Knutsford on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. The Erichuk family would like to send a special thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Kamloops Hospice House for all of their support and love. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kamloops Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Crescent S., Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9 or the Canadian Cancer Society, Unit 111, 450 Lansdowne Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 1Y3. Thank you. Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops, telephone 250-374-1454