ANNIS, Clark ARWIN
January 8, 1941 to September 4, 2017
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Clark ARWIN Annis, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, after a second valiant battle with prostate cancer (his first battle occurred in 2003) as well as a triple bypass in 2012 and a foot infection from 2007 to 2014 which resulted in a left leg amputation below the knee in 2014. Arwin passed away Monday, September 4, 2017 with his loving wife and family at his side.
He was predeceased by his first wife Nancy (1970), his father, William Archibald "Archie" Annis (1979), his mother )Winnifred Alice (Gooderham) Annis (1999), his half-brother Terence (Terry) Duncan (2006), his step-father Wilfred Graham (2010), as well as other extended members of the family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Judy, his son William Alexander (Alex) Annis, his son Sean Terence Annis (Kirsten) grandson Jared, granddaughter Jordynne, step grandson Travis, step granddaughter Becca, and his son Kim Anthony Vincent Annis (Heather) step granddaughter Alexa, step granddaughter Zaira. His sister Lynne Bidiuk, his brother Terence (Terry) (Doris), his sister-in-law Patricia Duncan as well as a few aunts and uncles and many, many cousins.
In his 20s Arwin was a musician in a blues jazz band in Vancouver playing alto saxophone. This love of music never ended and extended to a collection of music in 8-track, then cassette, then quadrophonic vinyl then CDs. He literally owns thousands of hours of music. This also applies to books - every room has books all over the place.
In his 30s and 40s Arwin was heavily involved with Lions and other Community volunteer work as well as the school board on the Queen Charlotte Islands. This was also the period of serious activity in what was then equivalent to today's social media - it was long distance CB radio - "shooting skip". In his 50s and 60s he changed from logging to vehicle sales and also became heavily involved on the Finance committee of Chilliwack Central Mennonite Brethren church, and a strong advocate to get the new church paid so there was not an interest burden on future generations and so the church could get back to supporting missions in a big way. As he advanced through his 60s into his 70s then there was the internet and EMAIL Arwin probably has over 100,000 emails.
His last passion was on his 'smart tv' watching TV and switching to play hearts on the computer while commercials were on. From Feb. 14, 2011 Arwin played 33,945 games. He always had to make sure his count ended in a 0 or 5.
Arwin's brain never quit. He also was an ex-auctioneer and had worked in the Vancouver auto auction. He loved to negotiate a good deal - and pretty much any deal Arwin was involved with became 'a good deal more' than most people expected. In his career in vehicle sales from 1979 to 2006, he also won many professional sales awards and ALWAYS remembered what he sold each customer - the colour, the make, the specifications - all of it. Prior to that, he worked very hard as a faller and bullbucker on the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) falling massive trees from 1965 to 1979. During this time he won a gold hard hat because a large limb fell and hit him on the head but did not kill him.
He also loved to travel. In the early years travelling was with the family in a 5th wheel all over the United Stated. In the later years, between bouts of health issues, travel was international including Scotland, Wales, Ireland as well as Canary Islands, Spain, North Africa and to England many times. Also Kauai, Maui, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, plus an incredible 21 day cruise of all the Caribbean Islands.
His sense of humour and positive attitude about life kept him going far beyond doctors' expectations. His character and inspiring spirit will remain with all that had the privilege to know him.
A celebration of life will be held in Clearwater and in Chilliwack.
Clearwater Memorial Service will be Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Location: at the old Star Lake School in Blackpool now known as Clearwater Christian Church at 1010 School Road off old North Thompson Highway.
Chilliwack Memorial Service will be Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: William (Bill) and Marion Mussell's house off Wellington Road.
The family would like to thank Clearwater Home Care ladies for such caring and sensitivity in their care. Without your support Arwin's wish to pass at home would have been problematic. Also a huge thank you to the over 40 doctors and specialists Arwin has seen during period from 2003 to 2017, the most recent being Dr. Lee Jonat in Kamloops.
Arwin's ashes will be interred at Chilliwack's Little Mountain Cemetery at a later date where he joins many previous members of his family.
In lieu of flowers donations to prostate cancer research, Helmcken Hospital Auxiliary in Clearwater or Red Cross equipment in Clearwater would be greatly appreciated.