Feb. 12, 1953 - Feb. 25, 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Wayne on Friday, February 25, 2011 at Cascade Hospice. He celebrated his 58th birthday there. Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. He fought a brave battle against cancer for almost two years. He left behind his pain and found peace instead. Wayne was born on February 12, 1953 and raised in the Okanagan Valley and has always considered that home and is where he will be laid to rest.
Wayne leaves behind his loving family who cared for him and will always treasure his memory. He will be remembered by his devoted wife of 28 years, Colleen; their children, Kelsey (27) and husband Chad Hicks, Christina (27) and partner Aaron Denauglt and son, Brett (24); also his son from his first marriage, Ben (36) and wife, Erin and two grandchildren, Rune ( 7) and Soren (1). He also leaves behind his loving mother Tillie Sundstrom, brothers, Jack (Georgia) Johnson and Ron (Alana) Sundstrom, nephews, Caleb, Tavish and Riley Johnson and Cole Sundstrom, all of Summerland, BC. Also his mother & father-in-law, Claire and Keith Brown, of Chilliwack; sister & brother-in-law, Nancy and Randall Venhola and their children, Tyrone and Lauren of Abbotsford. He is predeceased by his sister, Victoria Munn, his brother-in-law, Eric Munn, his stepfather, Gus Sundstrom and father Richard Johnson.
Wayne and Colleen met in Prince George but moved to Kamloops to be married in 1982. He worked for Agriculture Canada in Kamloops and transferred to the Research Station in Agassiz, settling in Chilliwack. Wayne leaves behind a legacy of helping others as he was most recently employed with MCC as a Career Consultant. Wayne always threw himself wholeheartedly in to his hobbies such as photography, golfing, biking, wine tasting/touring and traveling. Wayne was first and foremost a family man- his family meant the world to him. He was proud of his children’s accomplishments and reveled in their happiness. He loved them fully, knowing what a beautiful gift they were to us. He enjoyed every precious minute he had with his children and passed with his loving family at his side.
We would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at the Abbotsford Cancer Centre and the Cascade Hospice, Home Care nurse Amanda and the Chilliwack Palliative Care Team. A special thanks to Dr. Cameron Ross and his staff for their wonderful and compassionate care of the whole family during Wayne’s illness.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Chilliwack at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave. on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 10:00 am. Another Celebration will be held in Summerland at a later date.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Chilliwack Hospice Society. You can also support Wayne’s family and friends as they run in his memory at the Relay for Life in Chilliwack, BC on June 3-4th, 2011. Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society through his team
“The Wayners” at www.relaybc.ca/chilliwack/thewayners
Dad was very proud of his family for taking action in the fight against cancer and is cheering us on from above! We love you, Dad.