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Denis Alexander BOYD

November 5, 2005

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Denis Alexander Boyd on November 5, 2005, at Chilliwack General Hospital. Denis is survived by his wife Viola (Gleig), son Robert and daughter-in-law Gayle (Nelson), step-daughter Carol Banman, step-grandsons Bruce and Scott Banman; nieces Judy Davis (Hanegan), Patty Dunn (Hanegan), and Beryl McCullough (Cox); nephews Jerry, Doug, and Ken Olson, and Harold and Alan Cox. He was pre-deceased by his parents, John and Ethyl Boyd, first wife Marie, sister Mary Patricia (Cox), nephew Mervyn Cox, sister-in-law Mildred Hanegan (Olson), and stepson Lorne Gleig.

Denis was born on January 6, 1923 in Nelson, B.C. After leaving Nelson High School in 1941, he enlisted in the First Canadian Armoured Brigade Workshop Unit of the R.C.E.M.E., and served three years in Italy, Holland, and Belgium. After the war, he began a career with Underwood Typewriters in Calgary, Alberta. His career was put on hold when he contracted tuberculosis, and spent two years recuperating at the Central Alberta Sanatorium in Calgary. He became a lifetime member of the Branch 44 T.B. Vets unit of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Upon recovering, he resumed his career with Underwood, and in 1951, was appointed branch manager in Lethbridge, Alberta. His territory included all of south-eastern Alberta. It was there where he met his wife Marie, and they were married in 1953. In 1955, he was transferred to Medicine Hat, and remained there until 1960.

After relocating to the Lower Mainland, Denis began working for Benndorf Typewriters (later Benndorf-Verster), and in 1961, was appointed branch manager in Chilliwack. He remained branch manager until taking early retirement in 1976. He spent his semi-retirement working part-time at Sears.

In 1982, Denis married Viola Gleig, and they enjoyed attending many Rotary functions, dances, and travelling extensively.

Of all of Denis’ interests, his first love was Rotary. He was a devoted Rotarian, starting in 1955 in the Medicine Hat Rotary Club. Since joining the Chilliwack club, he spent many years as the club’s secretary, and actively participated in many of the club’s community services. His devotion to Rotary culminated in a Paul Harris Fellow in 1980.

A celebration of Denis’ life will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 3:00 P.M. at Chilliwack United Church, with Rev. Douglas Ireland officiating. Interment will be a private family gathering at a later date. Public viewing will be from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C., telephone 604-792-1344. Donations can be made to the T.B. Veteran’s Association, Suite 2, 530 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4A5.



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