Tarok's Eulogy at his Grandpa's service – Oct. 22, 2011

As a child growing up, my sister and I would spend summers in Nanoose Bay with Grandma and Grandpa.  Being only 8 or 9 years old, I did not understand Grandpa's personality at all. He was always the type to tell you exactly what was on his mind, good or bad. He would not mince his words or sugar coat anything. Being the little trouble maker that I could be, it wasn't very often that I heard good things from him. Now that's to say that he couldn't or wouldn't say or do things to show his love for us, because I will always remember sitting on the sundeck with my sister, Grandma and Grandpa playing cards in the afternoon or watching the eagles. My best memory, though, is of him teaching me to cut the grass around the house on the riding mower. He would always drill it into me how to make sure that there were no missed spots & also how to keep the mower from getting stuck and spinning the tires. But when I did get it done right, he would always have a pat on the back and good job.

But what I think I got from him that makes a big part of me, is the value of an honest day's work and to do the best I can in all that I do.  And for those that know me well enough I also inherited some of his hair trigger temper! And that's just the way he was – gruff & tuff on the outside, but on the inside he had a kind heart. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, and loved his family. But for all his blustering and, at times, volatile personality, he was saying I love you the only way he knew how so I am going to say it the only way I know how – I love you always.

Your grandson, Tarok

Warm greetings Gail,

Thank you for writing me to tell me about your Dad.  He was a wonderful, warm caring man and I am glad our paths crossed.  My condolences to you and the family for he must have left a big hole in your hearts.

All the best,
Donna [Baspaly]

Biography
Earl George Beck 1925-2011

Earl was born on the farm in Saskatchewan near Huronville on August 14, 1925 - although someone told a little fib to get into the Navy. He was the second oldest of 5 children born to Andrew and Irene Beck. His siblings were Harold, Arnold, Gerald and Shirley.

In February 1943 Earl and 2 buddies went down to the Naval Recruitment office, and while one of his buddies was rejected, before he knew what was happening to him, he found himself enlisted in the Navy! After serving on the HMCS â€œQueenâ€ and HMS â€œRoxboroughâ€, among others, he was discharged in Regina in October 1945 traveled with another buddy to Trail, BC for work. While there he met a young lady by the name of Gertrude Hamm and they got married in November 1947.

Their union was blessed with 4 children - Gail, Layne, Gregg and Karen.

Gert and Earl divorced in 1970, and Dad got remarried to his second wife Gail. Although they divorced in 1988, they continued to have an â€œinterestingâ€ relationship of one sort or another until Dad passed away. â€œMomâ€ Gail is part of our family and will continue to be.

Earl was a wireless operator during WWII, and after the war became a lineman for West Kootenay Power and Light. When he left Trail to move to Prince George in the early 60's, he went to work for BC Hydro in the construction division as a wireman/electrician, eventually obtaining his master electrician status. In 1980, Gail and Earl moved to Nanoose Bay on the island, where Earl started his own business - Nanoose Bay Electric. Shortly after Gail and Earl separated, Earl moved to Vancouver and worked in commercial construction for a few years. Eventually retiring, Earl took on the job of building manager for a 30-suite building just to keep busy. He only stopped â€œworkingâ€ about 5 years ago.

During all this time, Earl loved his activities! Golf, curling, baseball - he was always active. He was very proud of Gregg when Gregg's Little League baseball team won the Canadian championship, and went on to compete for the World's. Earl was an active bonspieler and loved traveling to bonspiels throughout Canada.  He played some world class teams and won many titles. He continued to play hockey, until he broke his ankle in Nanoose Bay.

In later years, Earl loved his sports from the comfort of his Lazy Boy! He liked nothing better than to raz his granddaughter Kimberley about the Saskatchewan Rough Riders!
â€ƒ

Dad was opinionated, had his own views on everything in his world. He met friends all over the place - the coffee shop, the used car lot, the Briar patch and many others! He enjoyed their individuality and treasured all their visits! He was a congenial host and loved their company over a good meal - and it showed in obvious ways!

In later years, nothing made him happier than to spend time with his great-grandchildren and if he had one regret, it would be that he would no longer be able to watch them grow up, as he did his grandchildren.

Earl liked being in control. And he was in control to the very end. He liked to do things his way. He was able to stay at home the way he wanted, was not dependent on any one, and maintained his dignity.

His family will miss him . . .

Karen, I am just getting to my emails and just read yours. Dear friend my thoughts and prayers are with you know that, I know exactly how your feeling and my heart aches for you. I'm here anytime day or night know that, for now sending you love ,big gentle huggs and strength. Love Cindy

Karen: I am so sad for you and your family. It is hard to believe that he is gone. Please call me when you get home so we can get together. Lois

Hi Karen ,Bruce & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I look forward to seeing you when you are home.
Those we love and lose are as near as God and God is very near.
Take good care.
Caron & Don

Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. See you when you get back. Brenda, Ray & family

Hi Auntie Karen,
Mike and I are so sorry about the passing of your Dad, you have our deepest sympathies. I have such fond memories of your Dad from the last time we saw him.
We love you and are sending prayers. Tell Uncle Bruce to give you a special hug from us.
Love,
Natalie & Mike
xo

Thank you dear brother for your email...nicely said....he certainly was a colourful and nice guy and will be truly missed! Love you too. Donna

Hi Karen: So sorry to hear about your Dad. Caron tried calling you today but your message mail box is full We will get together when you get back. Until then, take care, have a safe trip and we will be thinking of you. Your young tea bag friend. Lorelei

Both Jeannie and Sid e-mailed to tell us about your dad, Karen. We are thinking about you lots and were so sad to hear the news. We hope he went peacefully. Our hearts are with you. Love from Maureen and Scott

Dear Karen and Bruce, So sorry to hear about your dad. Mom called last night with the sad news. I can't believe it, he sounded not to bad when I talked to him last week on Sat. 8. We had such a good conversation I bet we talked for a good half hour. We talked about miss Ava and Deacon, Taylor and his new girlfriend from Germany and that she was coming to visit. And that Taylor was going to Germany for Christmas. He really was interested in that news. He also asked about Jessie. Told him she was just fine. He was very glad to hear about all of our kids and what they were planning to do with there lives. He told me about the Beck history and how Shan's wife Debbie was researching all of the information and to make sure to talk to you, because you had most of it. That he was adamant about. He also stated that he would go for Sunday brunch with some extended family that he called up and got to know from a phone call he made to see if they were related. I know there name started with a B. Family and family history meant everything to him. He sure was a fire cracker! We ended our conversation with him saying that he was so glad I called and how much he appreciated the talk. I'm glad I made the call. We love you guys and if you need anything we are here for you! With our sympathy and condolences, Lee-Ann, Brian, Jessie and Taylor.

I am truly sorry to hear of your father passing away. I have lost both of my parents and can understand your emotions.
Please accept my condolences and your memories of your father will help you through these trying times.
Bev Leung

I would like to express my condolences to Earl's family.I have fond memories of the monthly brunches we had together with our gang. It was a great way to keep in touch. Thinking of you in this time of greif.

On this melancoly day, we are all feeling very sad
That we have lost our Grandpa, our friend & our Dad
Together we have cried what seems like an ocean of tears
A piece of us is missing, that's been there for so many years

But Grandpa would want us to know he is a good place
And he's looking down on us with a smile upon his face
As we have made him so proud; as proud as he can be
That he raised such a beautiful & loving family

Perhaps his time seemed so short-so brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
For he left us with peaceful memories, his love is still our guide
Although we can't see him, he is always by our side

So Grandpa: Little did we know when God would call your name
In life, we loved you dearly & in death we will do the same.

Love Tarok (Honky) & Wanda (Crazy Newf). We will miss you dearly Grandpa, but we will love you more with each day that passes

Our condolences to Gail and daughter's Gail and Karen and their families.  Take solace in the fact that Earl lived a long and productive life. Remember all the good and happy times.

Love and thoughts from Earl's sister Shirley Geiger and family.

Earl had an amazing attitude and spirit and will be sadly missed by all whose lives he touched. Although I haven't seen him in a few years because of all of my moving, we kept in touch by phone on a regular basis, the last time being the Thursday before he passed. His voice was so strong and his attitude so positive I thought for sure he would defy the odds and be with us for much longer. I will greatly miss our regular fun phone chats.

My deepest sympathy to you all. My thoughts are with you at this time.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

I was so looking forward to viewing the live memorial for Earl. but received no sound, hopefully this will be corrected.  I am so sorry I could not attend in person, my thoughts and prayers are will you. Love, Aunt Lottie

Gail, Karen, Gail Senior and Families,
Just to let you know that we are thinking of you guys on this very sad occasion.
He will be greatly missed for his humour and his robust ways.  Family past and present were very much important to him.  There was no bite to his bark.  Even though he came off gruff sometimes he always had the best intentions.

With deepest sympathy
Love,
Sister-in-law and Auntie: Frances Beck and his nieces Erin and Lee-Ann, his nephews David, Trent and Terry and their families

Two and a half years ago I met Earl when he moved in across the road from me.  I then developed a great relationship with him.  He was treated me with respect and was always there for me when I needed advice.  I have always believed that people come into your lives for reasons and Earl taught me to appreciate what you have, not what you don't.  Earl you gave me a sense of security knowing that you were always there.  I will take you with me and what you taught me for the rest of my life.  I will truly miss the laughter and conversation we had.  

I met Earl in February 2009 when he moved to Abbotsford and into our townhouse complex.  He asked me to clean for him but from then on, Shawn and I became great friends with him.  We always enjoyed having coffee with him and Gail when she was over from the island visiting and meeting his kids and their families.  I will never forget Earl’s devilish grin and his eagerness to hear a good joke and tell a great story from his younger years.  He always had something interesting to say and you never had to guess what he was thinking!  There will be a hole in our lives without him but he will never be forgotten and will always bring a smile to our faces when we think of him.  He was a good and dear friend.  

Our condolences to the family and time will heal all wounds.  Thank you for sharing him with us.  Love Shawn and Sandra Fenton.

I met Earl when my parents passed in Sept 2009. He called me when he saw my Fathers Obit in the paper and we realized that he was my Fathers cousin, Earl and my Dads mothers were twin sisters. From that point onward we would meet for breakfast and tell family stories. I enjoyed his visits alot and the last time we went for breakfast was on Sunday Oct 9, 2011  and he said he would call and do that again as he really enjoyed our time. I have enjoyed spenting the last two years learning so many new things about our family, he will be deeply missed but I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family at this time - hold onto the loving memories as you go forward in your lives. My thoughts are with you always - From June and Lloyd Carnahan

OBITUARY

Earl George Beck

14 August, 1925 – 9 October, 2011

Woodlawn Funeral Home

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