Obituary of Roy Ohland

Obituary Roy Ohland Roy was born in Sylvan Lake, Alberta on November 8, 1926. Roy traveled to the Peace Country on the D.A. Thomas paddlewheeler and arrived at McKnight's Landing on May 8, 1928. The family settled in Baldonnel, and at the age of 14, Roy left home to seek employment. He had to lie about his age to get hired, but because of his size and strength he was never questioned, and began working at Tomilson's Construction in Taylor, BC. From there, Roy worked at many different businesses including construction of the Alaska Highway, Rimbey Motors in Dawson Creek, Bowes and Herrons, building the Taylor Plant with Sterns-Roger and Morwell, Westcoast Transmission Station 1, B & R Garage in Baldonnel with his cousin Bruno, Hirtz Brothers Construction, Tompkins Contracting, and finally Roy's Welding from 1977 until his retirement in 1995. During much of this time he was also farming full time. In 1947, Roy met Anne Konowalyk in Grimshaw, Alberta. A little over a year later, on July 12, 1948, Roy and Anne were married in Berwyn, Alberta. Roy purchased the original Baldonnel homestead from his father, and moved there with his new bride. Between 1949 and 1956, Roy and Anne welcomed four children, Shirley, Wayne, Dennis and Thelma to their family.Anyone who knew Roy, knew that he was a hard worker and a perfectionist. If you wanted something fixed the right way you called Roy. No task was too big, or too complex for him. Roy and Anne's retirement passion was fishing. Once or sometimes twice a year, they would pack up their gear and head to the coast where they would fish for salmon, halibut and crab in Stewart, Prince Rupert and Hyder. They built up many strong friendships on their travels. In 1995, Roy and Anne sold the farm in Baldonnel, and headed south, to a brand new home in Taylor. Roy's Welding business downsized and his shop became known as grandpa's playhouse. The size of his projects also shrunk with the size of his shop, and Roy began constructing a variety of useful things for friends, family and neighbours. He is likely best known for his amazing diggers. Anyone who was lucky enough to come into possession of one his toy diggers, knows the hours he spent in their construction. His diggers have been given to happy children all over the Peace Country, across Canada, and even as far away as Germany. One of Roy's most recent hobbies revolved around his love of Hockey. He became a devoted local hockey fan, and seldom missed a game. Roy and Anne became such a fixture at the rink, that they had their own seats, and were even voted "Fans of the Year" on more than one occasion. It wasn't until his health began to decline that he was forced to limit his hockey viewing time. Roy is pre-deceased by his parents Charlie and Jennie Ohland, and his brother Harvey. Roy is survived by Anne, his wife of 59 years; his four children, Shirley Ohland, Wayne (Wanda) Ohland, Dennis (Sharon) Ohland, Thelma (Tom) Ostero; six grandchildren, Kimberley, Jennifer, and Nilson Ostero, Kelli (Ben) Hull, Angela (Andrew) Moody, Brett Ohland; and great-grandaughter Lauren Hull. Roy is also survived by his brother Robert. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Roy Ohland