Tribute

Although is name was Antoine (Anthony) he was known as Pat, a nick name given him at a young age.

Pat was born in Meadow Lake Sask. into a French-Canadian family.  He spoke French very well and liked to converse in it. He was the middle child of 7. Around the age of 17 he hopped a freight train from Sask. to BC where he met and married Ferdy Finnigan.  They were married 69 years when Ferdy passed away in February 2012.

In 1960 Pat took a job at the Oliver Sawmill at which time he moved his family to Oliver from Prince George.  Pat worked as logger/faller/scalier/etc.   He had sawmills as well and worked away from home for others.  He also established Border Tie Mill in the early 70’s. Pat always worked in the forestry industry.  He worked in areas throughout the province on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Prince George and in the Kootenay region, I’m not sure if there is any area in BC he did not work.  

Pat was injured around 1982, hhis foot was crushed by a skidder and semi-retired at age 58. He continued to build sawmills up until he was in his early 80’s.  It was around this time that his sight started to fail due to Macular Degeneration.  Pat had a true love of the forest industry and enjoyed working outdoors no matter what the weather.   Par also had a passion for panning gold.  His father had done this for many years in the Yukon.  Dad would try his hand at this many times and quite enjoyed it

 Pat was always very active even in his retirement.  He bought a refrigerated truck and would take fruit and vegetables to the Kootenays and up north to sell to the local people. He loved to garden and always had a large one.  One year he even tried to grow peanuts.  Unfortunately, that was the year that he was injured and the crop failed.  He also became popular for growing cantaloupes.

He and Ferdy did not travel much but did make a trip to Quebec and went on a Caribbean cruse to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

 The Catholic Church was always the center of their lives and they were involved in many church groups and activities.  Pat was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Anthony (Pat) Forcier will be missed by two younger sisters Isabel & Lea, 5 children Richard (Leslie), Allan (Roni), Julie, Frances (Dave) and Linda (Doug); 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.

Prayers will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 30, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church followed by a reception.

A graveside urn interment and committal will take place at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery.

Condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com