DELMER ALLAN TETZLAFF

APRIL 16TH 1946   -   AUGUST 30TH 2021
 

Del was born in Shaunavon Sask.  At  the age of 4 his family moved to Ocean Falls B.C when his Dad got a job as a welder in the paper mill.  He had a great life growing up in the Falls and when he was 16 he started doing summer work at the mill.  He graduated and continued working at the mill until 1968 when he left to go to Vancouver.  He was engaged to Carol Swan at the time and she was leaving to go to school and so he followed.  He worked at various jobs in Vancouver including (if you can believe it) selling fine china and crystal door to door.  That did not last long.  In November of1968 he married Carol.  Shortly after he went back to the Falls missing the birth of his first son as mom and baby stayed in Vancouver for a month. Soon he began his pipefitting apprenticeship.  A few years later  the mill began its slow process of shutting down and so he decided to apply at other mills.  He left for Port Alice on Vancouver Island and Carol and his two boys followed a month later.  Del took up curling in Port Alice and became quite a good skip.  The town was a great place with lakes and rivers which meant great fishing for Del.  Another son came along  in the last year of his apprenticeship.  After two mud slides which came down in the middle of the town he and Carol decided it was time to move again.  This time he went to the mill in Port Mellon living in the original townsite for a while and then settling in Gibsons B.C.    He continued curling for some time.  He coached ball and was always happy when  the kids he coached remembered him years later.   He enjoyed many trips through Canada and abroad. His eldest son treated him to an amazing fishing trip at Langara. Something he talked about often. There were many trips to Mexico with friends and family one to celebrate 50 years of marriage.   He ended up with a total of eight amazing grandchildren who he adored.   The last few years he joined the snooker group at the Gibsons Legion and really enjoyed all the guys he played with. 

               His health was always an issue as he had diabetes and heart issues.  After his first heart attack and bypass surgery we were fortunate to have him for an additional 18 years.  Thanks to wonderful doctors and a great medical system.

               Along with the good times there was the loss of his Father John, his Mother Emma, and his Brother Elvin ,  Carol's immediate family and many friends along the way.  Left to mourn is his sister Verna (Mike), his sister in law Ruth, his wife Carol and sons Sean (Sandra), Gary and Danny ,  eight  grandchildren and many neices and nephews and friends.  If Del had a mantra it would be DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!  We will miss him dearly.